f 



DAILY PRAISE AND PRAYER. 



Daily i/\ 
Praise and Prayer. 



"ask, and ye shall receive/' 
"when ye pray, use not vain repetitions." 
"JESUS . . praying, the heaven was opened." 



BOSTON: 
AMERICAN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION. 

1884. 



Copyright^ 

American Unitarian Association, 
. 1875. 

B]f Trwwifei 

. FIFTH EDITION. 



University Press: 
John Wilson & Son, Cambridge. 



PREFACE. 



TN these brief services of devotion, the purpose has been, 
^ not to restrict each page to a single topic, but so far as 
possible, while preserving harmony, to give to every day some 
expression of the soul's varied experience and need. 

The introductory sentences are from the Bible. The poetical 
selections have been gathered from all accessible sources, hav- 
ing less regard for novelty than for the choicest utterance of 
faith and piety. While the new may charm by freshness, the 
old grows richer by tender and precious association. For the 
prayers, these pages are indebted largely to ancient liturgies, 
reproduced in many modern service-books ; also, to many of the 
living and the dead, whose names are not given, since the 
material they furnish has sometimes been altered, or condensed 
to adapt it to the required brevity and simplicity. To the 
Hymn Book and Service Book prepared by Rev. James, Mar- 
tineau, acknowledgments are especially due. The stanzas taken 
from Longfellow, Whittier, Lowell, and Holmes are used by 
permission of James R. Osgood & Co., from their copyright 
editions. 

The spirit shrinks from too weighty an encumbrance of letter 
and form ; and the neglect of daily prayer in the home is doubt- 
less partly due to the formalism with which it has been burdened. 
The trelHs is not the vine ; much less is it the fruit. Yet the 
trelHs has its value if it serves to Hft the vine from the earth 
into the fresh air and gracious sunlight that shall quicken it to 
bear more ample and luscious fruit. With its slight frame- 
work of ritual, may this book of Praise and Prayer" help 
our souls to rise " Daily " into the celestial atmosphere, where 
the Holy Spirit shall inspire that life more abundantly, the 
best expression of which is found in richer, sweeter fruits of 
daily living. 

R. R. S. 



T^HE LORD is my shepherd : I shall not want. 

He raaketh me to lie down in green pastures: he 
leadeth me beside the still waters. 

He restoreth my soul : he leadeth me in the paths of 
righteousness, for his name's sake. 

Yea, though I vralk through the valley of the shadow of 
death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me : thy rod 
and thy staff they comfort me. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of 
mine enemies : thou anointest my head with oil : my cup 
runneth over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days 
of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for 
ever. 

From all that dAvell below the sides 
Let the Creator's praise arise ; 
Let the Redeemer's name be sung 
Thi-ough every land, b}' ever}- tongue. 

Eternal are thy mercies, Lord, 

Eternal truth attends thy word ; 

Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, 

Till Sims shall rise and set no more. 

/"^UR Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as 
it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And 
forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass 
against us. And lead us not into temptation ; but deliver 
us from evil : For thine is the kingdom, and the power, 
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 



Nothing less than the majesty of God, and the powers of the 
world to co?ne, caji 77iaintam the peace and sanctity of otir hoines^ 
the order and serenity of otcr minds, the sphnt of patience a7id 
tender mercy iii our hearts. Then only shall we wisely econ- 
omize 7no7nents whe7i we a7iticipate for ourselves an eternity; 
a7id lose 7io grai7i of wisdo77iy whe7i we discer7t the glorious 
a7id i77i77iortal strnctiire its successive acctmzdations shall raise. 
The7i will even the 77ierest drudgery of ditty cease to hu7}ible 
us, whe7i we tra7isfigure it by the glory of our ow7i spirit. Seek 
ye, the7i, the thi7igs that are above ^ where your life is hid with 
Christ in God. 

James Martineau. 



To prayer^ to prayer ! for the 7norni7tg breaks, 
Aitd earth in her Maker'' s s?nile awakes; 
His light is on all below and above^ 
The light of gladness, and life, and love j 
Oh, then, on the breath of this early air. 
Send upward the incense of grateful prayer. 

Awake, awake ! and gird up thy strength, 
To join God^s holy band at length; 
To Him who unceasing love displays^ 
Whom the powers of nature unceasingly praise, 
To Hijn thy heart and thy hours be giveit ; 
For a life of prayer is the life of heaven. 

Henry Ware, Jr. 



JANUARY 1. 



SPEAK unto the children of Israel that they go for- 
ward. 

Now they began on the first day of the first month to 
sanctify. 

I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one 
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and 
reaching forth unto those which are before, I press toward 
the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ 
Jesus. 

Break, new born year, on glad eyes break ! 

Melodious voices move ; 
On, rolling time I thou canst not make 

The Father cease to love. 
Lord, from this year more service win, 

More glory, more delight ! 
O make its hours less sad with sin, 

Its days with thee more bright. 

Then we may bless its precious things, 

I£ earthly cheer should come ; 
Or gladsome mount on angel wings, 

If thou shouldst take us home. 
O golden then the hours must be, 

The year must needs be sweet ; 
^- Yes, Lord, with happy melody 

Thine opening grace we greet. 

T^TTE bow ourselves before thee, O thou God of our 
V ? lives, and seek thy blessing. IMay the coming 
year prove a new year indeed, bringing new thoughts and 
better resolutions. Happy, thrice happy, will it be for us 
if it lead us into a new and divine life. Should it bring 
trial and sorrow, and take from us health and friends, still 
happy will it be, if, through thy grace, Ave are enabled to 
use it well. O let not this year be marked by broken 
vows, bv a sinful surrender of our souls to the t\Tannv 
of wicked passions, by indolence, and deadness of heart. 
But may it prove for ever memorable as a year rich in gen- 
erous purposes and Christian deeds. By the divine power 
of a true spirit ma}^ we convert all the changes of life into 
opportunities of grace ; and so may we be raised above 
the power of time, and breathe the air of an eternal world, 
even while we sojourn in this vale of shadows. Amen. 

A I 



JANUARY 2. 



THE Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make 
his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto 
thee ; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and 
give thee peace. 

Be strong, and of a good courage ; be not afraid, nei- 
ther be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee 
whithersoever thou goest. 

Choose you this, day whom ye will serve ; but as for 
me and my house, we will serve the Lord. The Lord 
our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey. 

Our Father, through the coming year 

We know not what shall be ; 
But we would leave without a fear 

Its ordering all to thee. 
It may be we shall toil in vain 

For what the world holds fair, 
And all its good, we thought to gain, 

Deceive, and prove but care. 

It may be it shall br'ng us days 

And nights of lingering pain, 
And bid us take our farewell gaze 

Of these loved haunts of men. 
But calmly, Lord, on thee we rest ; 

No fears our trust shall move : 
Thou knowest what for each is best, 

And thou art perfect love. 

ALMIGHTY Father, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to 
direct, sanctify, and govern both our hearts and 
bodies in the ways of thy laws and in the works of thy 
commandments, that through thy most mighty protection, 
both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and 
soul. O God, our hearts as well as our times are in thy 
hands : help us, we beseech thee, with this new year to 
form new resolutions of serving thee faithfully in the spirit 
of thy Son Jesus Christ ; that we may finish the work which 
thou hast given us to do, and that our earthly life may be 
the beginning of a blessed eternity. Amen. 



2 



JANUARY 3. 



BLESSED are the poor in spirit: for tlieirs is tlie king 
dom of heaven. 
Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be com- 
forted. 

Blessed are the meek : for they shall inherit the earth. 

Blessed are thev which do hun2:er and thirst after ri2;ht- 
eousness : for they shall be filled. 

Blessed are the merciful : for they shall obtain mercy. 

Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers : for they shall be called 
the children of God. 

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' 
sake : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you. and persecute 
you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, 
for my sake. 

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad : for great is your reward 
in heaven : for so persecuted they the prophets wdiich w^ere 
before vou. 

Oh ! timely happy, timely wise, 
Hearts that with rising morn arise ! 
Eyes that the beam celestial view, 
Which evermore makes all thin2:s new ! 

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we, thine 
unworthy servants, do give thee most humble and 
hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to 
us and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, pre- 
servation, and all the blessings of this life ] but, above 
all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the 
world by our Lord Jesus Christ ; for the means of grace 
and for the hope of glory, /ind we beseech thee, give 
us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may 
be unfeignedly thankful, and that we may show forth thy 
praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving 
up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee 
in holiness and righteousness all our days, through Jesus 
Christ, our Lord. Amen. 



3 



JANUARY 4. 



IN those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the - 
wilderness of Judea, 
And saying, Repent ye : for the kingdom of heaven is 
at hand. 

For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, 
saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare 
ye the way of the Lord, make his patlis straight. 
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance : 
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees : 
therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is 
hewn down, and cast into the fire. 

Stern daughter o£ the voice of God ! 
O Duty ! It that name thou love, 
^Yho art a light to guide, a rod 
To check the erring, and reprove : 

I myself commend 
Unto thy guidance from this hour ; 
Oh I let my weakness have an end ! 
Give unto me, made lowly wise, 
The spirit o£ self-sacrifice ; 
The confidence of reason give ; 

And, in the light of Truth, thy bondman let me live ! 

OGOD. who in times past didst speak to our fathers 
by the prophets, and in these last days to us by thy 
Son, we thank thee for the volume of thy Holy Word ; for 
the plain and ample directions it contains ; for the sub- 
lime instructions it affords j for the consolations and hopes 
it presents to the penitent, the afflicted, and the dying ; for 
the immortal life it reveals to man ; for the eternal glory 
and happiness it promises to those who love and strive to 
obey thee. By the light and assistance which it gives to 
our ignorance and frailt}^, may we be enabled to order our 
steps aright, to keep thy laws and ordinances, and stead- 
ily to pursue that path of virtue and true holiness which 
leads to everlasting life. Amen. 



4 



JANUARY 5. 



BLESSED be the Lord, because he hath heard the 
voice of my supplications. 
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart 
trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart 
greatly rejoiceth ; and with my song will I praise him. 

The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength 
of his anointed. 

Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance : feed them 
also, and lift them up for ever. 



LORD, merciful and gracious, we, thy dependent off- 



spring, would now humbly and sincerely thank thee, 
because thou hast given us life, and by thy bountiful provi- 
dence hast always nourished, directed, and governed us. 
For our reason, education, and religion ; for all the gifts of 
nature and of grace ; for our Saviour, Christ ; for our re- 
demption, and instruction in the truth ; for thy repeated 
calls to us j for all the patience which has waited for us, 
and all the mercy which has spared us ; for all the enjoy- 
ments of this present life, and for all thy promises, and all 
our hopes of a better life to come, — we bless and magnify 
thy holy name. And grant, O Lord, that thy mercies may 
be followed by our obedience ] and that we may so walk in 
the light of thy favor, and in the paths of thy command- 
ments, that, living here to thy praise, we may at last be 
received to thyself, to rejoice for ever in thy presence j 
which we ask in the name, and as disciples, of him who 
died that we might live j through whom to thee be ascribed 
all thanksgiving and praise, both now and for ever. Amen. 



Father, source of every blessing, 
Tune my heart to grateful lays ; 
Streams of mercy, never-ceasing, 



Call for ceaseless songs of praise. 



By thy hand restored, defended. 

Safe thus far through life I've come ; 



Safe, O Lord, when life is ended. 
Bring me to my heavenly home. 




5 



JANUARY 6. 



MY voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord ; in 
the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, aud 
will look up. 

For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wicked- 
ness : neither shall evil dwell with thee. 

But as for me, I will come into thy house in the muld- 
tude of thy mercy : and in thy fear will I worship. 

Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness ; make thy way 
straight before my face. 

Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let 
them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them : let 
them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. 

For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous ; vdth favor wilt 
thou compass him as with a shield. 

On God, and not on my poor strength, 

Will I my hopes repose, 
And trust the Power who made me first, 
And all my weakness knows. 

He who the world guides on its way 
Will help me bear my burdened day. 

God knows whate'er my heart desires 

Before it is expressed, 
And grants the boon unuttered still 
If wisdom sees it best. 

And as a father loves his son ; 

Then, not my will, but thine be done." 

THOU, 0 Lord most High, art our light and our life, 
our strength and our joy, our refuge in distress, our 
ever-present Friend and Helper. Inspire us, we beseech 
thee, with thoughts suited to thy most holy presence. As 
disciples of Jesus Christ thy Son, and Vvdth great love to 
him, we would come to thee : may it be also in his spirit. 
We would be mindful how far off from thee we should 
have been without him, and how near to thee he will lead 
us, if we humbly and steadfastly yield ourselves up to his 
guidance. Thou, Lord, hast made all things, and art won- 
derful in all thy doings ; yet art thou most wonderful and 
glcrious in thy works of love and mercy. Amen. 



6 



JANUARY 7. 



WHOSOEVER heareth these sayings of mine, and 
doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, 
which built his house upon a rock : 

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the 
winds blew, and beat upon that house ; and it fell not : for 
it was founded upon a rock. 

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and 
doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, 
which built his house upon the sand : 

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the 
winds blew, and beat upon that house ; and it fell : and 
great was the fall of it. 

Father ! strengthen thou my will, 
With thy steadfast purpose fill ; 
Rooted, grounded may I be, 
Fixed in thy stability. 

Henceforth may I nobly stand ; 
Build no longer on the sand ; 
But defy temptation's shock, 
Firmly grounded on the rock. 

OGOD, how great, how mighty art thou ! As we think 
of the universe filled and guided by thee, we are 
overwhelmed by a sense of our own feebleness and of thy 
measureless power. All earthly and human greatness is 
weaker than the spider's web when set against thy will. 
Oh, save us from a presumptuous heart. Make us poor in 
spirit. We cast ourselves down. Wilt thou lift us up ? 
With meek and lowly hearts we implore thy favor. Oh, shed 
down on us thy light, that we may be wisely instructed as 
to the sources of true and enduring powder. May we build 
our house on the rock of thy righteous law, that in the 
storm and tempest it may still stand and be safe. Wilt 
thou establish the work of our hands? yea, the wwk oi 
our hands establish thou it. Amen. 



7 



JANUARY 8. 



OLORD. our Lord, hovr excellent is thy name in all 
the earth ! vdio hast set thy glory above the heavens. 
When I consider thy heavens, rhe work of thy lingers, 
the moon and the stars, which rnou hast ordained : 

What is man. tiiat thou art mindful of him and the 
son of man. that thou visitest him ? 

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, 
and hast crowned him with glory and honor. 

Thou madest him to have dominion over the vrorks of 
thy hands : thou hasE put all things under his feet : 

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in ah the 
earth I 

A MARVEL seen-s the ii":ver?e. 

A niy>:ery. w^icn I Cviniio: pierce, 
Around, above, beneath. 

In van: I -sk mv aching Irrvn, 

In v:.:n :he safe's :h:u^n: I scan; 
I only feel how weak and vain. 

How poor and blind, is man I 

And now my sririr sig'hs for honie. 

And longs : : : i i ^ . : ' e : e b " to see, 
And, like aweary cniid. vrouid come, 

O Father, unto thee 1 
Thourk kke letters traced on sand, 

Myhv.ai: tes rives kaye pa. sea away, 
In mercy, lend thy helping hand 

Unto my prayer to-day. 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God. give unto us. we 
beseech thee, the increase of faith, ho':-, and char- 
ity ; and may we not only obtain that whici: :i;:u dost 
promise, but also lo^ that vhirk thau d : ^ o nand, 
through Jesus Christ our Loro. Merciful G; ... ^ crseech 
thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon the people ; 
that, beino^ enli2:htened bv thv most r ' so 

walk in the lii^ht of thv truth, that we i^:/ ... :.:;ain 
to everlasting life. Amen. 



8 



JANUARY 9. 



AND when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hyp- 
ocrites are : for they love to pray standing in the 
synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may 
be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their 
reward. 

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and 
when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is 
in secret ; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall re- 
ward thee openly. 

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the hea- 
then do : for thev think that thev shall be heard for their 
much speaking. 

Be not ye therefore like unto them : for your Father 
knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 

He prayeth well, who loveth well 
Both bird and man and beast. 

He prayeth best, who loveth best 
All thmgs both great and small ; 
For the dear God who loveth us, 
He made and loveth all. 

GREAT art thou, O Lord, and greatly to be praised. 
Great is thy power, and thy wisdom infinite. Thee 
would man praise : man, who is but a speck in thy creation ; 
man, who bears with him his mortalit}^, the witness of his 
sin. Thou makest us to delight in thy praise ; for thou 
hast made us for thvself, and our heart is without rest till 
it find rest in thee. We will seek thee, O Lord, by calling 
upon thee ; and call upon thee, believing in thee. Oh that 
we might repose upon thee 1 Oh that thou wouldst enter 
into our heart, that we may forget our sorrows, and em- 
brace thee, our only good. So speak that we ma\^ hear. 
Enlarge thou our souls, that thou mayest enter in. Cleanse 
us from secret faults; keep back also thy seiwants froEQ 
presumptuous sins. Amen. 



9 



JANUARY 10. 



THY mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens ; and thy faith- 
fulness reacheth unto the clouds. 
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains ; thy 
judgments are a great deep : O Lord, thou preservest man 
and beast. 

How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God ! therefore 
the children of men put their trust under the shadow of 
thy wings. 

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance 
of thy house ; and thou shalt make them drink of the river 
of thy pleasures. 

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall 
we see light. 

O continue thy loving-kindness unto them that know 
thee, and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. 

When is the time for prayer ? 

With the first beams that light the morning sky. 
Ere for the toils of day thou dost prepare, 

Lift up thy thoughts on high ; 
Commend thy loved ones to his watchful care : 
Morn is the^ time for prayer. 

When is the time for prayer ? 

In every hour while life is spared to thee ; 
In crowds or solitudes, in joy or care, 

Thy thoughts should heavenward flee ; 
At home, at morn or eve, with loved ones there, 
Bend thou the knee of prayer. 

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our spirits, whose 
mercy is everlasting, and whose truth endureth to 
all generations, unto thee we lift up our souls and mag- 
nify thy name together. We thank thee that we still con- 
tinue to enjoy the blessings of this life, and the means of 
preparing for the life which is to come. And we pray 
that, by putting our whole trust in thy wise and good prov- 
idence, our hearts may be established in thy fear and love, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



lO 



JANUARY n. 



MY brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers 
temptations. 

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh pa- 
tience. 

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be 
perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that 
giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall 
be given him. 

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering ; for he that 
waver eth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind 
and tossed. 

For let not that man think that he shall receive any 
thing of the Lord. 

I WANT the spirit of power within. 
Of love, and of a healthful mind : 
Of power to conquer every sin ; 
Of love to God and all mankind ; 
Of health that pain and death defies, 
Most vigorous when the body dies. 

O, that the Comforter would come, 
Nor visit as a transient guest, 
But fix in me his constant home, 
And keep possession of my breast ; 
And make my soul his loved abode, 
The temple of indwelling God ! 

OGOD of iniinite mercy, in whose loving-kindness we 
trust for the supply of all our wants, vouchsafe to 
us such a portion of temporal good as may be needful to 
support us in our journey through life ; preserve us from 
sad accidents and all evil ; sanctify our hearts and direct 
ouv wavs, that we mav be united to thee bv the livins; 
bond of obedience and charity : and that, always feeling 
the presence of our gracious and merciful Father, we may 
become a holy family before thee, and be received here- 
after into the family of heaven, for which thou didst send 
thy best beloved Son to prepare us. Amen. 



TI 



JANUARY 12- 



IF ye love me, keep my commandments. 
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you 
another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 

Even the Spirit of truth ; whom the world cannot re- 
ceive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him : but 
ye know him ; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in 
you. 

I will not leave you comfortless : I will come to you. 

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he 
it is that loveth me : and he that loveth me shall be loved 
of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest my- 
self to him. 

Oh, not alone with outward sign 

Of fear, or voice from heaven, 
The message of a truth divine, 

The call of God, is given ; 
Awakening in the human heart 

Love for the True and Right, 
Zeal for the Christian's better part, 

Strength for the Christian's fight. 

Though heralded by naught of fear, 

Or outward sign, or show ; 
Though only to the inward ear 

It whisper soft and low ; 
Though dropping as the manna fell, 

Unseen, yet from above, 
Holy and gentle, heed it well, — 

The call to Truth and Love. 

ETERNAL God, who hast neither dawn nor evening, 
yet sendest us alternate mercies of the darkness and 
the day ; there is no light but thine, without, within. As 
thou liftest the curtain of night from our abodes, take 
also the veil from all our hearts. Rise with thy morning 
upon our souls : quicken all our labor and our prayer : 
and, though all else declines, let the noontide of thy grace 
and peace remain. May we walk while it is yet day, in 
the steps of him who, with fewest hours, finished thy di- 
vinest work. Amen. 



12 



JANUARY 13. 



FOR we are saved by hope : but Hope that is seen is not 
hope : for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope 

for? 

But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with 
patience wait for it. 

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities : for we 
know not what we should pray for as we ought : but the 
Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings 
which cannot be uttered. 

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the 
mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the 
saints according to the will of God. 

And we know that all things work together for good to 
them that love God. 

Oh ! draw me, Father, after thee ! 
• So shall I run and never tire ; 
With gracious words still comfort me ; 

Be thou my hope, my sole desire ; 
Free me from every weight ; nor fear 
Nor sin can come, if thou art near. 

In suffering be thy love my peace ; 

In weakness be thy love my power ; 
And when the storms of life shall cease, 

O Father ! in my latest hour. 
In death as life, be thou my guide, 
And draw me closer to thy side. 

OLORD, we know not what we ought to ask of thee. 
Thou alone knowest what we need ; and thou lov- 
est us better than we can love ourselves. O Father, give 
to us, who desire to be thy children, what is best for us. 
We dare not pray for either crosses or comforts. We 
present ourselves before thee ; we open our hearts to 
thee. Behold our wants, which we are ignorant of; be- 
hold them, and do according to thy mercy. Smite, or 
heal ; cast us down, or raise us up. We adore all thy 
pui*poses, though we know them not. We are silent. We 
yield ourselves up to thee ; having no greater desire than 
to do thy will as humble disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen. 



13 



JANUARY 14. 



PLACE thy delight in the Lord, 
And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 
Commit thy way unto the Lord, 
Trust in hmi, and he will give thee success. 
He will cause thy justice to shine like the light, 
And thy righteousness like the noonday brightness. 

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. 
Cease from anger ; give not way to wrath ; 
Be not provoked, so as to do evil. 
Yet a little while, and the wicked shall be no more : 
Thou mayest look for his place, he will not be found. 
But the meek shall inherit the earth ; 
And delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 

O King of kings, before whose throne 
^The angels bow, no gift can we 
Present, that is indeed our own, 

Since heaven and earth belong to thee ; 
Yet this our souls through grace impart, 
The offering of a thankful heart. 

O Holy Spirit, Fount of breath, 

Whose comforts never fail nor fade, 
Vouchsafe the life that knows no death. 

Vouchsafe the light that knows no shade ; 
And grant that we, through all our days, 
May share thy gifts and sing thy praise. 

OGOD, our Maker, who alone canst give us the light 
we need, unseal our spiritual vision. Make us to 
discern the greatness of thy grace. Teach us the value of 
thy gracious messages, that we may know how to thank 
thee, that our hymns and praises may be the prompting 
and tribute of our hearts. Let not our faith be in word, 
but in power. When Christ is formed within us, then shall 
we be found fit for thy sanctuary. By true spiritual wor- 
ship, we shall go from grace to grace, and from strength to 
strength, until we dwell for ever in thy presence. Amen. 



14 



JANUARY 15. 



I WILL bless the Lord at all times ; 
His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 
My soul shall make her boast in the Lord ; 
Let the afflicted hear and rejoice ! 
O magnify the Lord with me, 
And let us exalt his name together ! 

The afflicted man cried, and the Lord heard, 
And saved him out of all his troubles. 
The angels of the Lord encamp around those who fear 
him, and deliver them. 
O taste and see that the Lord is good ; 
Blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 
O fear the Lord, ye his saints ; 
For there is no want to them that fear him. 
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger ; 
But they who fear the Lord want no good thing. 

They who on the Lord rely 
Safely dwell, though danger's nigh ; 
Lo, his sheltering wings are spread 
O'er each faithful servant's head. 

When we wake, or when we sleep, ' 
Angel-guards our vigils keep : 
Death and danger may be near ; 
Faith and love can never fear. 

OGOD, who faintest not, neither art weary; whose 
everlasting work is still fresh as thy creative thought : 
we bless thee for the pity of night and sleep, giving us the 
rest thou never needest. We w^ould lie down each evening 
in peace and thankfulness, and commit the folded hours to 
thee. We would go forth each morning consecrating to 
thy service the gifts and powers thou hast committed to 
our trust. O Lord, through toil and repose, save us from 
any fatal slumber of the spirit ; and keep us through life to 
the holy vigils of love and service, as they that watch for 
thy morning of eternity. Amen. 



JANUARY 16. 



ALL things whatsoever ye would that men should -de 
to you, do ye even so to them : for this is the la^7 
and the prophets. 

Enter ye in at the strait gate : for v;ide is the gate, and 
broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many 
there be which go in thereat : 

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which 
leadeth unto life, and few there be that nnd it. 

Thou must be true thyself, 

If thou the truth wouldst teach ; 
Thy soul must overflow, 

If thou another soul wouldst reach : 
It needs the overflowing heart 

To give the lips full speech. 
Think truly, and thy thought 

Shall the world's famine feed ; 
Speak truly, and thy word 

Shall be a fruitful seed ; 

Live truly, and thy life shall be 

A great and noble creed. 
• 

AL]\IIGHTY and ever-blessed God, we worship thee, 
who art supremely good. Thy dealings vrith us all 
are kind j and thy commandments all are wise. ]\Iay we 
be submissive to thy will. If our days are spent in peace, 
it is because thou lovest us. We pray thee to strengthen 
our hearts. Never may we sin against thy goodness. 
May we be kind to one another : may we be peaceful, 
meek, and gentle. Fill thou our hearts with love. May 
the God of peace and love dwell with us. And when, at 
last, we pass the hour of death, may we be received to the 
companionship of the good and to thine ever-blessed ser- 
vice. Amen. 



i6 



JANUARY 17. 



THEN said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will 
come after me, let him deny himself, and take up 
his cross, and follow me. 

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it : and who- 
soever will lose his life for mv sake shall find it. 

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole 
world, and lose his own soul ? or what shall a man give 
in exchange for his soul ? 

WouLDST thou be a true man, 

Thou must be quick and bold 
When the right is to be done, 

The truth is to be told : 
Wearing no friendlike smile 

When the heart is not within ; 
Making no truce ^Yith fraud and guile, 

No compromise with sin. 

Open of eye and speech, 

Open of heart and hand : 
Holding thine own but as in trust 

For thy great brother band ; 
Tiue to thy fatherland, 

True to thine own true love, 
True to thine altar and thy Lord 

And the good God above. 

FOUNTAIN of life, perfection, and happiness, we lift 
our hearts to thee, the greatest, wisest, and best of 
beings. Give us, we pray thee, more worthy conceptions 
of thy nature and providence, better knowledge of thy 
truth and will ; and, by fuller acquaintance with thee, may 
our souls find peace. Teach us to know ourselves. j\Iay 
we keep our hearts with all diligence, for out of them are 
the issues of life. In prosperity may we be humble, and 
in adversity patient. Save us from anger and malice. 
Give us prudence and constancy. And may we hold fast 
our integrit}' as long as we live. In every station may we 
discharge our duty, and find entrance to thy glorious 
kingdom. Amen. 



B 



17 



JANUARY 18. 



LET the dead buiy their dead, but go thou and preach 
the kingdom of God. . . . No man having put his 
hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the king- 
dom of God. 

I count not myself to have apprehended : but this one 
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and 
reaching forth unto those which are before, I press toward 
the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ 
Jesus. 

Build tliee more stately mansions, O my soul, 

As the swift seasons roll ! 

Leave thy low-vaulted past ! 
Let each new temple, nobler than the last, 
Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast, 

Till thou at length art free, 
Leaving thine 9utgTov^-n shell by life's unresting sea. 

OTHOU who givest life and all that makes life dear 
and rich and sweet to our souls, we thank thee for 
this fair world in which we dwell, which thou hast so fitted 
up and adorned as a home of love and friendship, as a 
school of divine instruction, and as a temple of worship. 
While we dwell in it, may we rightly use and enjoy it, grate- 
ful for all thy loving-kindness, and here preparing for the 
higher joy and service of the world to come. i\Iay our 
best affections be set on things unseen and eternal. May 
we waste no time in vain dalliance and regrets. But, 
with our faces set heavenward, may we resolutely press 
on to do thv will : makins; each new^ dav better than the 
days that are gone, and ready at any moment to greet 
thy summons to thy nearer presence and higher ser^'ice. 
Amen. 



i8 



JANUARY 19. 



I LAID me down and slept ; I awaked ; for the Lord 
sustained me. 

Stand in awe, and sin not : commune with your own 
heart upon your bed, and be still. 

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your tnist 
in the Lord. 

There be many that say, Who Avill show us any good ? 
Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. 

Thou hast put gladness in my heart. . . . 

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep : for tbou, 
Lord; only makest me dwell in safety. 

IMy God, my Father, while I stray 
Far from my home on life's rough way, 
Oh, teach me from my heart to say, 
Thy will, my God, be done ! 

Though dark my path, and sad my lot, 
Let me be still, and murmur not, 
But breathe the prayer divinely taught, 
Thy will, my God, be done ! 

Renew my will from day to day ; 
Blend it with thine, and take away 
Whate'er now makes it hard to say, 
Thy will, my God, be done ! 

OTHOU infinite One, we lift our thoughts unto thee, 
desiring to rest under the shadow of thy wings, to 
be warmed by thy love, and to be sheltered and blessed 
by thy tender mercy. We adore and worship thee, calling 
thee by every name of power, of wisdom, of beaut}^, and 
of love j yet knowing that thy perfections transcend our 
utmost thought. By thy grace may we find guidance in 
all duty j and comfort in every sorrow, when the mortal 
fades fr.om our sight, and the shadow of death falls on 
the empty seat of child or parent or friend. O Lord, by 
the shining of thy love in our hearts, may we see our way 
through darkness into light, and journey from strength to 
strength, our hearts still stayed on thee. Amen. 



19 



JANUARY 20. 



LAY not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where 
moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break 
through and steal : 

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where 
neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do 
not break through nor steal: 

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also 

Almighty God, in humble prayer 

To thee our souls we lift : 
Do thou our waiting minds prepare 

For thy most needful gift. 
\Ye ask not golden streams of wealth 

Along our path to flow ; 
We ask not undecaying health, 

Nor length of years below. 

We ask not honors, which an hour 

May bring and take away ; 
We ask not pleasure, pomp, and power, 

Lest we should go astray. 
We ask for wisdom : — Lord, impart 

The knowledge how to live : 
A wise and understanding heart 

To all before thee give. 

ETERNAL God, who committest to us the swift and 
solemn trust of life ; since we know not what a 
day may bring forth, but only that the hour for serving 
thee is always present, may we wake to the instant claims 
of thy holy will ; not waiting for to-morrow, but yield- 
ing to-day. Lay to rest, by the persuasion of thy Spirit, 
the resistance of our passion, indolence, or fear. Conse- 
crate with thy presence the way our feet may go ; and the 
humblest work will shine, and the roughest places be made 
plain. Lift us above unrighteous anger and mistrust into 
faith and hope and charity, by a simple and steadfast 
reliance on thy sure will ; and so may we be modest in 
our time of wealth, patient under disappointment, ready 
for danger, serene in death. In all things, draw us to the 
mind of Christ, that thy lost image may be traced again, 
and thou mayst own us as at one with him and thee. 
Amen. 

20 



JANUARY 21. 



NOT every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall 
enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that do- 
eth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

]\Iany will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we 
not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast 
out devils ? and in thy name done many wonderful works ? 

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you : 
depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

Lord ! what offering shall we bring, 
At thine altars when we bow ? 
Hearts, the pure, unsullied spring, 
Whence the kind affections flow ; 

\Yilling hands, to lead the blind, 
Heal the wounded, feed the poor ; 
Love, embracing all our kind ; 
Charity, with liberal store. 

Teach us, O thou heavenly King, 
Thus to show our grateful mind, 
Thus the accepted offering bring, — 
Love to thee and all mankind. 

OGOD, the Centre of all pure spirits, the everlasting 
Goodness, we come to thee. Thou art the happi- 
ness of heaven ; and thy presence, felt by the soul that 
communes with thee, is the highest good. Ignorant of 
thee, we know nothing aright ; wandering from thee, we 
lose all light and peace ; forgetting thee, we turn our minds 
from the noblest objects of thought; and, without love to 
thee, we are separated from infinite loveliness, and from 
the only substantial and sufficient source of joy. Thou 
hast an inexhaustible fulness of life, and thine unceasing 
communications take nothing from thy power to bless ; 
thou art infinitely better than all thy gifts, and through all 
we desire to rise to thee. Help us to know and serve 
thee aright, and by fidelity in the humble things of to-day 
may we prepare for thy nearer presence and higher service 
in the world to come. Amen. 



21 



JANUARY 22- 



TAKE no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, 
What shall we drink ? or, Wherewithal shall we be 
clothed ? 

. . . For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have 
need of all these things. 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his right- 
eousness ; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

Take therefore no thought for the morrow : for the 
morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Suffi- 
cient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

Not that my Father gives to me 

More blessmgs than in days gone by, 

Dropping in my uplifted hands 
All things for which I blindly cry ; 

But that his plans and purposes 

Have grown to me less strange and dim ; 

And, where I cannot understand, 
I trust the issues unto him. 

And, spite of many broken dreams, 

This have I truly learned to say : 
Prayers which I thought unanswered once 

Were answered in God's own best way. . 

ALMIGHTY God, our Father and Preserver, who 
hast watched over us during the darkness, and 
made us glad with the light of this day, grant that we 
may employ it in thy most holy service ; and, even as 
thou sheddest now the beams of the sun upon the earth 
to give light unto our bodies, so illumine our souls with 
the brightness of thy Spirit, to guide us in the paths of 
thy righteousness. O God, the strength of all them that 
trust in thee, we beseech thee to continue to us thy gra- 
cious protection ; and, as the day declineth, so make us 
mindful of the time when life also shall decline ; and grant 
us always to live in such a state that we may never be 
afraid to die. Amen. 



22 



JANUARY 23. 



THEN one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a 
question, tempting him, and saying. 
Master, which is the great commandment in the law ? 
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God 
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy 
mind. 

This is the first and great commandment. 

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy 
neighbor as thyself. 

On these two commandments hang all the law and the 
prophets. 

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the 
only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 

What shall I do to gain eternal life ? 

Discharge aright 
The simple dues with which each day is rife ! 

Yea, with thy might : 
Ere perfect scheme of action thou devise 

Will life be fled ; 
While he who ever acts as conscience cries, 

Shall live, though dead. 

OGOD, thou givest all things : to the stars their light, 
to the fountains their waters, to the earth its plants, 
to the fruits their flavor, to the flowers their fragrance, to 
all nature its abundance and beauty; to man thou givest 
health and reason. It is by thee that we live, that we 
think, that we enjoy : may we not forget him from whom 
cometh all blessing. O Lord, watch over our spirit when 
we wake, and our bodies while we sleep, that we may 
sleep in peace and wake with thee. Pity our weakness. 
Send thy holy angels, spirits of light, that they may keep 
far from us the spirit of evil. Grant that we may resist it 
with the courage of faith. Give repentance to the sinful, 
perseverance to the just, and peace to the sorrowful. Let 
our prayer rise to thee, O God, and upon us let thy bless- 
ing descend. Amen. 



JANUARY 24. 



FOR as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are 
the sons of God. 
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again 
to fear ; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, 
whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we 
are the children of God : 

And if children, then heirs ; heirs of God, and joint 
heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with him, that 
we may be also glorified together. 

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are 
not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be 
revealed in us. 

Where faith the soul hath purified, 

And penitence hath shriven, 
And truth is crowned and glorified, 

There — only there — is heaven. 

OLORD God, holy Father, be thou blessed both now 
and for evermore. Let thy servants rejoice in thee, 
not in themselves, nor in anything apart from thee: for 
thou alone art the true gladness ; thou art our hope and 
our crown ; thou art our joy and our honor, 0 Lord. If 
thou give peace, if thou pour into our hearts holy joy, 
the souls of thy servants will be full of melody, and shall 
become devout in thy praise. O Lord, grant us to know 
that which is of genuine worth, to love that which is truly 
lovable, to praise that which most pleaseth thee, to esteem 
that highly which to thee is precious, and to abhor that 
which in thy sight is evil or unclean. Suffer us not to judge 
according to the sight of the outward eyes, or to give sen- 
tence according to the hearing of the ears of ignorant 
men; but with a true judgment may we discern between 
things visible and things spiritual, and, above all, be ever 
searching after the good pleasure of thy will. What a 
man is in thy sight, that is he and no more. Make us du- 
tiful and humble children of thine. Unto thee we com- 
mend ourselves and all belonging to us, both here and 
hereafter, now and for ever. Amen. 



24 



JANUARY 25. 



HEREIN do I exercise myself, to have always a con- 
science void of offence toward God and toward 

men. 

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a 
pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith un- 
feigned. . . . This charge I commit unto thee, that thou 
mightest war a good warfare, holding faith and a good 
conscience, which some having put away, concerning faith 
have made shipwreck. 

Pray for us ; for we trust we have a good conscience, in 
all things willing to live honestly. 

My conscience is my crown, 

Contented thoughts my rest, 
My heart is happy in itself, 

My bliss is in my breast. 

My wishes are but few, 

All easy to fulfil ; 
I make the limits of my power 

The bounds unto my will. 

I feel no care of coin, 

Well-doing is my wealth : 
My mind to me an empire is 

While grace affordeth health. 

GRACIOUS Lord, we humbly acknowledge thee as 
the God of our lives and the Giver of all good. 
Thou givest us sweet sleep ; and when we awake we are 
still with thee. Encompassed by thy guardian care, we 
go forth to daily duty. O God, our trust is in thee. 
Give us grace to perform our duty faithfully ; to use this 
world as not abusing it ; to hold fast our integrity as 
long as we live ; to remember that thou seest us always, 
and that we must render account of all we do and say 
to thee, our ever-living Witness and Judge. O thou 
whose blessing abides with the just, make us the joyful 
objects of that blessing, now and evermore. Amen. 



25 



JANUARY 26. 



PRESERVE me, O God : for in thee do I put my trust. 
. . . The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance 
and of my cup : thou maintainest my lot. 

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places ; yea, I 
have a goodly heritage. 

I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel ; yea, 
also in the night seasons my heart admonisheth me. 

I have set the Lord always before me : because he is at 
my right hand, I shall not fall. 

Therefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoiceth : 
my flesh also shall rest in hope. 

For thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave ; neither 
wilt thou suffer thy beloved one to see corruption. 

Thou wilt show me the path of life : in thy presence 
is fulness of joy j at thy right hand there are pleasures for 
evermore. 

There is a light in yonder skies, 
A light unseen by outward eyes ; 
But clear and bright to inward sense 
It shines, — the star of Providence. 

And faith, undimmed by earthly fears. 
Shall lift its eye, though filled with tears, 
And, w^hile around 'tis dark as night, 
Untired, shall mark that heavenly light. 

Unmoved, then, let me keep my way, 
Supported by that cheering ray. 
Which, shining distant, renders clear 
The clouds and darkness thronging near. 

OLORD God, in all our passage through this world, 
and our manifold concerns therein, suffer not our 
hearts to be too much set upon it, but always fix our 
eyes upon the blessed hope of everlasting life, that, as 
we go along, we may make all the things of this world 
to minister to that which is to come, and be careful to fit 
our souls for that pure and perfect bliss which thou hast 
prepared for thy children in the glories of thy kingdom. 
Amen. 



26 



JANUARY 27. 



YE are the salt of the earth : but if the salt have lost 
his savor, wherewith shall it be salted ? it is thence- 
forth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trod- 
den under foot of men. 

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a 
hill cannot be hid. 

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a 
bushel, but on a candlestick j and it giveth light unto all 
that are in the house. 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see 
your good works, and glorify your Father which is in 
heaven. 

Oh wail not in the darksome forest, 
Where thou must needs be left alone ! 

But, e'en when memory is sorest, 
Seek out a path and journey on. 

Thou wilt have angels near above, 

By whom invisible aid is given ; 
They journey still on tasks of love, 

And never rest, except in heaven. 

OHOLY Father, may that light w^hich enlighteneth 
every man who cometh into the world shine into 
our minds, and kindle in our hearts the beginnings of 
heavenly life. And, since by our souls we are as nearly 
allied to the world of spirits as by our bodies we are to 
this sensible world, grant that by degrees we may be pre- 
pared for that eternal state, and be translated thither in 
thine own good time, improved in knov/ledge, in virtue, 
and in holiness, and fitted for communion with thy glori- 
fied Son and the saints in light. Amen. 



27 



JANUARY 28, 



AS the body is one and hath many members, and all 
the members of that one body, being many, are one 
body, so also is Christ. . . . 

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer 
with it, or one member rejoice, all the members rejoice 
with it. Now ye are the body of Christ and members in 
particular. 

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law 
of Christ. 

Alone amid life's griefs and perils. 

The stoutest soul may quail ; 
Left to its own unaided efforts, 

The strongest arm may fail : 

And though all strength still comes from heaven. 

All light from God above, 
Yet we may sometimes be his angels, — 

The apostles of his love. 

Then let us learn to help each other, 

Hoping unto the end : 
Who sees in every man a brother 

Shall find in each a friend. 

ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, we beseech thee 
to give us grace to love thee with all our hearts, 
and our neighbor as ourselves. Endue us with charitable 
and upright dispositions, and with humble and contented 
minds in every condition of life. Conduct us continually 
to higher degrees of wisdom and excellence. Purify us 
from all vicious habits and passions. Dispose us heartily 
to every good work, that we may be proper objects of thy 
favor and blessing. Amen. 



28 



JANUARY 29. 



HAPPY is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man 
that getteth understanding : 
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchan- 
dise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 

She is more precious than rubies : and all the things 
thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 

Length of days is in her right hand j and in her left hand 
riches and honor. 

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths 
are peace. 

She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her : and 
happy is every one that retaineth her. 

The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth ; by under- 
standing hath he established the heavens. 

Our wealth leaves us at death, 

Our kinsmen at the grave, 
But virtues of the mind unto 

The heavens we have ; 
Wherefore, for virtue's sake, 

I can be well content 
The sweetest time of all my life 

To deem in thinking spent. 

ANOTHER day is before us, O Lord. Be with us, we 
beseech thee, during the toils and sorrows, the joys 
and pleasures, it may bring. Help us to carry the fragrance 
of thy love in our heart, so that all we do may be done to 
thee. Make us tread firmly on the path thy wisdom has 
appointed for us, not avoiding the toil, or lingering for the 
joy. Reign thou only in our hearts this day, O King ; and, 
in weal or woe, teach us to pay thee the glad tribute of 
prayer and praise in readier service and in deeper love. 
Amen. 



29 



JANUARY 30. 



THE heavens declare the glory of God ; 
And the firmament showeth his handiwork. 
Day unto day uttereth speech, 
And night unto night showeth knowledge. 
The}' have no speech nor language. 
And their voice is not heard ; 
Yet their sound goeth forth to all the earth, 
And their words to the end of the world. 

In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 
Which is as a bridegroom coming from his chamber. 
And rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 
His going forth is from the end of the heaven, 
And his circuit unto the ends of it ; 
And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. 

The works of God, above, below, 

Within us and around, 
Are pages in his book, to show 

How God himself is found. 

Thou, who hast given us eyes to see 

And love this sight so fair, 
Give us a heart to find out thee, 

And read thee everywhere. 

WE render thee thanks upon thanks, O Lord, m all 
times and in all places ; for thou hast sheltered, 
supported, and led us on through the time past of our life, 
and brought us to this hour. And we pray thee, grant us 
to pass this day, and all the days of our life, without sin, 
with all joy, health, and salvation from evil, and with fear of 
thee. Drive from us all danger and temptation. Supply us 
with things good and profitable, and with all things need- 
ful for body and soul. Whereinsoever we have sinned 
against thee, in thought, word, or deed, be pleased in thy 
goodness to pass it over ; and forsake us not, O God, who 
hope in thee : neither lead us into temptation, but deliver 
us from evil thoughts and works by thy grace and com- 
passion, who art our Father for ever. Amen. 



30 



JANUARY 31. 



THE law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul : 
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the 
simple. 

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart : 
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the 
eyes. 

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the 
judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.' 

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much 
fine gold : sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 

Moreover by them is thy servant warned : and in keep- 
ing of them there is great reward. 

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from 
secret faults. 

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins ; let 
them not have dominion over me : then shall I be upright, 
and I shall be innocent from great transgression. 

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my 
heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and 
my redeemer. 

Teach me, my God and King, 

In all things thee to see ; 
And what I do in any thing, 

To do it as for thee ! 

To scorn the senses' sway, 

While still to thee I tend ; 
In all I do be thou the way ; 

In all be thou the end. 

All may of thee partake ; 

Nothing so small can be. 
But draws, when acted for thy sake, 

Greatness and worth from thee. 

OTHOU who art invisible to mortal eye, but dost 
reveal thyself to the sanctified and holy heart, so 
cleanse us by thy grace, we beseech thee, — so cleanse us 
in the tears of repentance and by the power of thy Holy 
Spirit, — that we may see thee, and walk in the light of 
thy countenance all the days of our life ; to the glory of thy 
grace. Amen. 

31 



FEBRUARY 1. 

BUT when the Comforter is come, whom I will send 
unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, 
which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me : 

And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been 
with me from the beginning. 

Nevertheless I tell you the truth : It is expedient for 
you that I go away : for if I go not away, the Comforter 
will not come unto you ; but if I depart, I will send him 
unto you. 

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, 
and of righteousness, and of judgment. 

Ne^v every morning is the love 
Our wakening and uprising prove : 
Through sleep and darkness safely brought, 
Restored to life, and power, and thought. 

New mercies, each returning day, 

Hover around us while we pray : 

New perils past, new sins forgiven, 

New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven. 

OTHOU that makest both darkness and light, thine is 
also the light invisible, the revelation of thy Spirit 
to our souls. Enable us to worship and serve thee in spirit 
and in truth, in word and deed, in private and in public ; to 
have no pleasure in wrong ; to go not after e\'il thoughts ; 
to speak the truth in love ; to hold all things in subjection 
to thv will ; to be content with what is rio:htlv our ovrn. 
We commend to thee, O Lord, our souls and bodies, our 
minds and thoughts, with alt their prayers and intentions ; 
our senses and limbs, our words and works, our life and 
death ; our friends and benefactors, and all who have a 
claim on us by dut}\ kindred, or neighborhood ; our coun- 
try, and all mankind. We comrnend to thee, O Lord, our 
going out and coming in, our down-sitting and uprising. 
Thou, Lord, art the preserver of all living things ; and 
the children of men put their trust under the shadow of 
thv winsfs. The Lord bless us and keep us, and show the 
light of his countenance upon us, and be merciful to us, 
evermore. Amen. 



32 



FEBRUARY 2. 



THERE is therefore now no condemnation to them 
which are in Christ Jesus^ who walk not after the 
flesh, but after the Spirit. 

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath 
made me free from the law of sin and death. 

Foj' they that are after the flesh do mind the things of 
tlie flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things 
of the Spirit. 

For to be carnally minded is death ; but to be spiritually 
minded is life and peace. 

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be 
that the Spirit of God dwell in 3'ou. Now if any man have 
not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 

My spirit longs for Thee 

To dwell within my breast ; 
Though I unworthy be 

Of so divine a guest ! 

Of so divine a guest 

Unworthy though I be, 
Yet has my heart no rest 

Unless it come to thee : 

Unless it come to thee 

In vain I look around ; 
In all that I can see 

No rest is to be found. 

No rest is to be found 

But in thy blessed love : 
Oh ! let my wish be crown'd, 

And send it from above ! 

OLORD, our heavenly Father, who hast safely brought 
us to this day, defend, guide, and sustain us in the 
same with thy great power; and grant that this day we 
may not fall into any sin, neither run into any danger, but 
that all our doings, being ordered by thy governance, may 
be righteous in thy sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



c 



33 



FEBRUARY 3. 



ASK, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall 
find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you : 
For every one that asketh receiveth ; and he that seek- 
eth findeth ; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 

What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, 
will he give him a stone ? 

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent ? 
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto 
your children, how much more shall your Father which is 
in heaven give good things to them that ask him ? 

Prayer is to God the soul's sure way ; 
So flows the grace he waits to give : 
Long as they live should Christians pray 5 
They learn to pray when first they live. 

Depend on him ; thou shalt prevail ; 
Make all thy wants and wishes known : 
Fear not, his mercy will not fail ; 
Ask but in faith, it shall be done. 

OLORD our God, who hast brought us to the begin- 
ning of another day, and vouchsafed to us this 
season of holy rest, look down, we pray thee, on us, thy 
worshipping children, now before thee. May we have in 
remembrance thy works of righteousness and of love, and 
in our humble measure feel what that divine goodness must 
be, which continues to take care of us from week to w^eek 
and from year to year, and which was the same in the time 
of our fathers and the old time before them ! But most of 
all, O heavenly Father, we thank thee for thy boundless 
grace and mercy in Jesus Christ. In his spirit may we 
come to thee at this time with our glad homage and filial 
obedience ! O thou, unto whom all hearts are open, all 
desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse, 
we beseech thee, the thoughts of our hearts by the inspira- 
tions of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, 
and worthily magnify thy hallowed name. Amen. 



34 



FEBRUARY 4. 



OH how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up 
for them that fear thee ; which thou hast wrought 
for them that trust in thee before the sons of men ! 

ThoU shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence : 
thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion. 

Blessed be the Lord : for he hath showed me his mar- 
vellous kindness. 

For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine 
eyes : nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my suppli- 
cations when I cried unto thee. 

O love the Lord, all ye his saints : for the Lord pre- 
serveth the faithful. 

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, 
all ye that hope in the Lord. 

My God, I love thee : not because 

I hope for heaven thereby ; 
Nor because they who love thee not 

Must burn eternally. 

Not with the hope of gaining aught ; 

Not seeking a reward ;, 
But, as thyself hast loved me, 
O ever-loving Lord : 

E'en so I love thee, and will love, 

And in thy praise will sing ; 
Solely because thou art my God, 

And my eternal King. 

MOST gracious and m.erciful Father, w^e resign our- 
selves and all our interests to thy disposal, in the 
humble hope that thy mercy will never forsake us, and that 
thou wilt cause all things to work together for our good. 
We would submit patiently to thy will under every afflic- 
tion ; and we humbly pray that we may so pass through 
the changes of this world, as finally to be prepared for the 
perfect and eternal joys of the world to come. Amen. 



35 



FEBRUARY 5 



AS I was with. Moses, so I will be with thee : I will not 
fail thee, nor forsake thee. 
Be strong and of a good courage : for unto this people 
shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I 
sware unto their fathers to give them. 

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou may- 
est observe to do according to all the law, which Moses 
mv servant commanded thee : turn not from it to the ri^ht 
hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever 
thou goest. 

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth ; 
but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou 
mayest obseiwe to do according to all that is written there- 
in : for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then 
thou shalt have good success. 

He always wins who sides with God, 

To him no chance is lost ; 
God's will is sweetest to him when 

It triumphs at his cost. 

Ill that he blesses is our good, 

And unblest good is ill ; 
And all is right that seems most wrong 

If it be his sweet will ! 

THOU, O Lord, art the supreme Ruler of the nations 
and the families of the earth : v/e beseech thee to 
add the demonstrations of thy Spirit to the demonstrations 
of thy power ; that, when thy judgments are manifest in 
the world, the inhabitants thereof niay learn righteousness 
Give us, O God, an affecting sense of the realities with 
which we have to do ; — of a God who is above us, a 
death, a judgment, and an eternity. Amen. 



^6 



FEBRUARY 6. 



BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath be- 
stowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of 
God : therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew 
him not. 

Beloved, now are we the sons of God. and it doth not 
yet appear what we shall be : but we know that, when he 
shall appear, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as 
he is. 

And every man that hath this hope in him p urine th 
himself, even as he is pure. 

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: 
for sin is the transgression of the law. 

And ye know that he was mianifested to take away our 
sins ; and in him is no sin. 

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not : whosoever sin- 
neth hath not seen him, neither known him. 

Little children, let no man deceive you : he that doetb 
righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 

For what is there on earth I can desire 

Of all that it can give or take from me ; 
Or whom m heaven doth my spirit seek, 
O God, but thee r 

OGOD, we thank thee for the proofs thou givest ot 
thy essential pure and perfect benignit}^, so that 
through all clouds and darkness we can see a gracious 
Father. In this world of shadows, this fleeting tide of 
things, this life of dreams, we rejoice that there is a reality, 
sure, unchanging, in which we may find rest; that there is 
a power which can cleanse us from all sin, raise us to all 
virtue and happiness, and give us endless growth. How 
great is our privilege, that we have such an object for our 
hope and trust : that our souls may contemplate infinite 
loveliness, greatness, goodness ; that Ave may at all times 
commune with the best of beings. Father, help us to 
know thee aright ; to become truly acquainted with thee, 
and in that acquaintance may our souls find peace. Amen. 



37 



FEBRUARY 7. 



JUDGE not, that ye be not judged. 
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged : 
and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to 
you again. 

And wh} beholdest thou the mote that is in thy broth- 
er's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own 
eye ^ 

Or how wilt thou say to thy brother. Let me pull out the 
mote out of thine eye ; and, behold, a beam is in thine 
own eye ? 

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own 
eye ; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote 
out of thy brother's eye. 

Judge not : the workings of his brain 
And of his heart thou canst not see : 

What looks to thy dim eyes a stain, 
In God's pure light may only be 

A scar brought from some well-won field, 

Where thou wouldst only faint and yield. 

And judge none lost : but wait and see, 

With hopeful pity, not disdain ; 
The depth of the abyss may be 

The measure of the height of pain. 
And love and glory that may raise 
The soul to God in after days. 

OTHOU Searcher of hearts, by whom alone actions 
and words and thoughts are justly weighed, keep far 
from us all disposition to judge and censure our brethren. 
Standing in constant need of thy forgiveness, may we not 
deprive ourselves of the appeal to thy mercy by unchari- 
tably judging our fellow-men ; but, in our conduct to each 
other, let mercy still rejoice against judgment, as we pray 
that it may do when we stand before thy awful tribunal. 
Amen. 



38 



FEBRUARY 8 



BLESSED are the undefiled in the way, who walk in 
the law of the Lord. 
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek 
him with the whole heart. 

They also do no iniquity : they walk in his ways. 
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts dili- 
gently. 

0 that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes ! 
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto 

all thy commandments. 

1 will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall 
have learned thy righteous judgments. 

I will keep thy statutes : O forsake me not utterly. 

My God, accept my heart this day, 

And make it always thine, — 
That I from thee no more may stray, 

No more from thee decline. 

Let every thought, and work, and word, 

To thee be ever given, — 
Then life shall be thy service, Lord, 

And death the gate of heaven. 

OUR Father in heaven, we bow before thee in rever- 
ence and godly fear ; and in humility and love we 
would adore thee. While the universe in solemn harmony 
proclaims thy glory, to that anthem of praise may we add 
our hallelujahs ! We adore thee that thy laws are all 
benevolent and holy, working for the welfare of thy creat- 
uies and children. May we know and feel that the law 
of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul ; that the stat- 
utes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart ; and the 
commandment of the Lord pure, enlightening the eyes ! 
So may our delight ever be in the law of the Lord 1 
Amen. 



39 



FEBRUARY 9, 



LABOR not for the meat which perisheth, but for that 
meat which endm-eth unto everlasting Hfe, which the 
Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the 
Father sealed. It is written, He gave them bread from 
heaven to eat. 

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto 
you, -Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my 
Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from 
heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 

Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this 
bread. 

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he 
that cometh to me shall never hunger ; and he that believ- 
eth on me shall never thirst. 

Bread of heaven, on thee we feed. 
For thy flesh is meat mdeed ; 
Ever let our souls be fed 
With this true and living bread. 

Day by day with strength supplied, 
Through the life of him who died. 
Lord of life, oh let us be 
Rooted, grafted, built on thee ! 

OGOD, the Father of our spirits, who hast vouchsafed 
to us not only the bread which perisheth, but also 
that living bread which cometh down from heaven : grant, 
we beseech thee, that, as thou hast wonderfully adapted 
the one to our natural wants and appetites, so we may be 
enabled to discern and experience the no less wonderful 
adaptation of the other to the eternal wants of our spirits, 
and enjoy the fulness of thy spiritual blessings in Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 



40 



FEBRUARY 10. 



BEWARE of false prophets, \Yhich come to you in 
sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening 
wolves. 

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather 
grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ? 

Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit ; but 
a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a 
corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn 
down, and cast into the fire. 

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 

O Thou, who hast thy servants taught 

That not by words alone, 
But by the fruits of honness, 

The life of God is shown ; 

When we our voices lift in praise, 

Give thou us grace to bring 
An offering of unfeigned thanks, 

And with the spirit sing. 

And in the dangerous path of life 

Uphold us as we go ; 
That with our lips and in our lives 

Thy glory we may show. 

FATHER of all the children of men, though dwelling 
in the high and lofty place, thou art with them also 
of a lowly heart. With cheerful faces and io}-ful hearts 
we w^ould come to thee to learn the way of eternal life. 
Mav the hours of this dav and all davs be holv ; and mav 
thy word be precious to our souls. As w*e listen to the 
call of thy spirit, may we feel thy holy presence. ]\Iay we 
have thy word and spirit in our hearts j and so be fitted 
for life's varied scenes, for duties in which we shall need 
thy light, for trials in wdiich we shall need thy strength. 
O God, we cannot think of our blessings without remem- 
bering those wdio know them not. Let the earth be filled 
with thy glory, and all thy children share thy salvation. 
To distant lands and heathen isles send the light of thy 
glorious word. Amen. 

41 



FEBRUARY 11 



GET wisdom, get understanding: forget it not ; neither 
decline from the words of my mouth. 
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee : love her, 
and she shall keep thee. 

Wisdom is the principal thing ; therefore, get wisdom : 
and with all thy getting get understanding. 

Exalt her, and she shall promote thee : she shall bring 
thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. 

She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace : a 
crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. 

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings ; and the years 
of thy life shall be many. 

I have taught thee in the way of wisdom : I have led 
thee in right paths. 

When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened ; and 
when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. 

Take fast hold of instruction ; let her not go : keep her j 
for she is thy life. 

Father, O hear me ! 

Pardon and spare me ! 

Quench all my terrors, 

Blot out my errors, 
That by thine eyes they may no more be scanned. 

Order my gomgs, 

Dhect all my doings : 

As it may please thee, 

Retain or release me : 
All I commit to thy Fatherly hand. 

ALMIGHTY God, who alone canst order the unruly 
wills and affections of sinful men, grant unto 
thy people that they may love the thing which thou com- 
mandest, and desire that which thou dost promise ; that 
so, amid the sundry and manifold changes of the world, 
our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are 
to be found, even on the kingdom and promises of thy Son 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 



42 



FEBRUARY 12. 



THEN Cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, 
to be baptized of him. 
But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be bap- 
tized of thee, and comest thou to me ? 

And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so 
now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. 
Then he suffered him. 

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway 
out of the water : and, lo, the heavens were opened unto 
him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, 
and lighting upon him : 

And, lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved 
Son, in whom I am well pleased. 

The people which sat in darkness saw great light ; and 
to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light 
is sprung up. 

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, 
Repent : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

Helped by thy grace, no more I'll stray, 

No more resist thy voice ; 
Where thou, Good Shepherd, lead'st the way, 

That way shall be my choice. 

Too long, alas ! my wand'ring feet 

The crooked paths have trod ; 
Henceforth I'll follow, as is meet, 

The sure, unerring road. 

All praise, O Lord, to thee alone, 

Below, as 'tis above : 
And may thy joys, Eternal One, 

Both draw and crown my love. 

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of thy 
great mercy hast promised forgiveness of sins to 
all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn 
unto thee, have mercy upon us ; pardon and deliver us 
from all our sins ; confirm and strengthen us in all good- 
ness ; and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. 



43 



FEBRUARY 13. 



FEAR not them which kill the body, but are not able 
to kill the soul : but rather fear him which is able to 
destroy both soul and body. 

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing ? and one of 
them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many 
sparrows. 

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him 
will 1 confess also before my Father in heaven. 

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I 
also deny before my Father in heaven. 

I WORSHIP thee, sweet Will of God 1 

And all thy ways adore, 
And every day I live I seem 

To love thee more and more. 

When obstacles and trials seem 

Like prison-walls to be, 
I do the little I can do, " 

And leave the rest to thee. 

I have no cares, O bless'ed Will ! 

For all my cares are thine ; 
I live in triumph. Lord, for thou 

Hast made thy triumphs mine. 

OGOD, under the shadow of thy wings let us rest and 
trust. Protect and sustain us. Thou wilt support 
us, both when little and even to gray hairs. When our 
strength is of thee, we are strong ; when w^e rely only on 
ourselves, v/e are feeble and frail. Let us return to thee, 
O Lord, that from their weariness our souls may rise 
towards thee ; leaning on the wings which thou hast cre- 
ated, and passing on to thyself, vAio hast wonderfully made 
them : for with thee is refreshment and true strength. 
Then shalt thou so dwell in us, as now thou workest 
with us. Amen. 



44 



FEBRUARY 14. 



UNTO thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 
O my God, I trust in thee : let me not be put to 

shame. 

Show me thy ways, O Lord ; teach me thy paths. 

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me : for thou art the 
God of my salvation ; on thee do I wait all the day. 

Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving- 
kindnesses ; for they have been ever of old. 

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgres- 
sions : according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy 
goodness' sake, O Lord. 

Good and upright is the Lord : therefore Vv'ill he teach 
sinners in the way. 

The meek will he guide in judgment: and the humble 
he teacheth his wav. 

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such 
as keep his covenant and his testimonies. 

Come, O Creator Spirit blest ! 
And in our souls take up thy rest ; 
Come, with thy grace and heavenly aid, 
To fill the hearts which thou hast made. 

Far from us drive the foe we dread. 
And grant us thy true peace instead ; 
So shall we not, with thee for guide, 
Turn from the path of life aside. 

EVER-PRESENT One, who knowest all our needs, 
lead us in the right path. Fill our hearts with 
gratitude, and make us conscious of thy presence, thy mercy, 
and thy love ; control thou our thoughts ; enlarge our souls 
with a broader charity. May we delight to contribute to 
others' w^ell-being and joy ! As we go forth this day 
to duty, may we be penetrated and filled wdth a deep 
sense of the true meaning and purpose of life ! Trusting 
implicitly in thee, may we go forward courageously, sure 
that while we do right we are for ever safe in thy fatherly 
protection 1 Amen. 



45 



FEBRUARY 15. 




Y his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the 
' clouds drop down the dew. 



My son, let not them depart from thine eyes; keep 
sound wisdom and discretion : 

So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy 
neck. 

Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot 
shall not stumble. 

When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid : yea, 
thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation 
of the wicked, when it cometh. 

For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy 
foot from being taken. 

For my work oh make me strong ! 

Make me cheerful on my way, 
Give me hope to bear along 

In my heart this livelong day. 
Inwardly renew my youth, 

Hover o'er me heavenly Dove ! 
Give me gleams of higher truth, 

Give a pulse of deeper love ! 

WE beseech thee, O Lord, open the heavens from 
whence thy gifts descend to us ; and from hence 
may our hearts look up with gratitude and trust to thee ! 
Grant that, while we receive thy benefits, we may render 
the service enjoined upon us. Look down from heaven, 
O Lord ; behold and visit this vine which thou hast planted. 
Strengthen the weak, relieve the contrite, confirm the 
strong ; build them up in love, cleanse them with purity, 
enlighten them with wisdom, keep them with mercy. Thou 
who art the eternal Shepherd of men, feed the hungry, 
give drink to the thirsty, seek for the lost, convert the 
wandering, bind up that which is broken. May we all 
feel the touch of thy hand, and receive the joy of thy 
Holy Spirit, that we may remain blessed for evermore 1 
Amen. 

4& 



FEBRUARY 16. 



REJOICE in the Lord, O ye righteous : for praise is 
comely for the upright. 
For the word of the Lord is right ; and all his works 
are done in truth. 

He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full 
of the goodness of the Lord. 

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made ; and 
all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 

Let all the earth fear the Lord : let all the inhabitants 
of the world stand in awe of him. 

For he spake, and it was done ; he commanded, and it 
stood fast. 

The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts 
of his heart to all generations. 

What thou wilt, O Father, give ! 
All is gain that I receive ; 
Let the lowliest task be mine. 
Grateful, so the work be thine ; 
Let me find the humblest place 
In the shadow of thy grace ; 
Let me find in thy employ 
Peace that dearer is than joy ; 
Out of self to love be led. 
And to heaven acclimated. 
Until all things sweet and good 
Seem my natural habitude. 

OTHOU Infinite One, who dwellest not only in temples 
made with hands, but art a perpetual presence, 
living and moving and having thy being in every star that 
shines above and every flower that blooms beneath ! We 
flee unto thee, who art always with us, and pray that we 
ma} commune with thy Spirit, feeling thy presence and 
pourmg out our gratitude. Amid all the noises of earth, 
may the still small voice of thy Spirit come into our souls, 
wakening our noblest faculties to new life. May the spirit 
of religion lift us up when we are bowed down, and 
strengthen us when we are weak, and give joy of heart to 
our inner man when the mortal flesh weeps and our eyes 
overflow with tears. Amen. 



47 



FEBRUARY 17, 



YE have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love 
thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. 
But I say unto you. Love your enemies, bless them that 
curse 3"ou, do good to them that hate you, and pray for 
them ^Yhich despitefully use you, and persecute you ; 

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in 
heaven : for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on 
the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have 
ye ? do not even the publicans the same.'' 

And if ye salute your brethren only, w^hat do ye more 
than others ? do not even the publicans so ? 

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in 
heaven is perfect. 

Not by deeds that win the world's applauses, 
Not by w^orks that give the world renown, 

Not by martyrdom or vaunted crosses, 

Canst thou wdn and wxar the immortal crown. 

Daily struggling, though unloved and lonely, 

Every day a rich reward will give : 
Tliou wilt find, by hearty striving only, 

And truly loving, thou canst truly live. 

AL^MIGHTY and ever-blessed God, whose infinite grace 
and mercy have been revealed to mankind by thy Son 
Jesus Christ : we, thine unworthy sen^ants, deeply sensible 
of our manifold transgressions, but encouraged by thy good- 
ness and loving-kindness, do most humbly beseech thee to 
accept us at this time, and to inspire our hearts with such 
earnest desires after heavenly food, as may be in some 
measure suitable to our great need of it: and thus, coming 
to the table of thy daily bount}Mvith a true spiritual hunger 
and thirst, may our souls find the refreshing grace and 
strength which are necessary to support and carry us 
for^vard on our Christian course. Grant this, O holy 
Father, for thy great love to us shown in Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 



48 



FEBRUARY 18. 



THINK not that I am come to destroy the law, or the 
prophets : I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 
For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, 
one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, 
till all be fulfilled. 

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least com- 
mandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the 
least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do 
and teach them, the same shall be called great in the 
kingdom of heaven. 

For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall 
exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye 
shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 



If on our dailv coarse our mind 
Be set to hallow all we find, 
New treasures still, of countless price, 
God will provide for sacrifice. 

Old friends, old scenes will lovelier be, 
As more of heaven in each we see : 
Some softening gleam of love and prayer 
Shall dawn on every cross and care. 



BORNE up in the arms of thy loving-kindness, O our 
Father ; never forgotten, but cared for with more than 
an earthly parent's love, — we would look to thee in filial 
trust, believing that thou knowest what is best for us, and 
that thou doest all things well. Teach us that when we 
disobey thee we wrong our own souls : while, to those who 
faithfully serve thee, thou bringest better results than we 
can foresee or plan. Profoundly impress it upon our hearts 
that our only real enemy is sin : that nothing in the universe 
can harm us as we injure ourselves by our own wrong-doing ; 
that all things work together for good to them who love 
God. Father, forgive our sins and shortcomings, and 
grant those things thou seest we need. Let thy kind 
providence extend to all who are dear to us and all for 
whom we should pray. Amen. 

D 49 




FEBRUARY 19. 



THE light of the body is the eye : if therefore thine 
eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of I'ghr. 
But, if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of 
darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, 
how great is that darkness 1 

No man can sen^e two masters : for either he will hate 
the one. and love the other : or else he will hold to the 
one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and 
mammon. 

LoPvD or eternal purity ! 

Who dost' the world w:::i !h'':t adorn, 
And paint the tracts of azure skv 

With lovely hues of eve and morn : 

Scatter our night, eternal God, 

And kindle th}^ pure beam within ; 
Free us from guilt's oppressive load. 

And break the deadly bonds of sin. 

OGOD. ever blessed and holy: none but the angels 
and thy redeemed can serve thee with a perfect 
joy. On us, as we look up to the light of thy countenance, 
the shadows of shameful remembrance fall : and to all thy 
mercies we must still answer with a cry for more. Called 
in our measure to be perfect as thou art perfect, we have 
been most unlike to thee, and are not worthy to be deemed 
thy children. Thirsting with momentar}' desires, we have 
forsaken the living springs of heavenly wisdom, of which 
he that drinketh shall never thirst a2:ain. We have been 
slow to the calls of affection, heedless of the duties, hard 
under the sorrows, which are thy gracious discipline ; yet 
are oppressed with cares thou layest not on us, with ease 
thou dost not permit, and wants thou wilt never bless. O 
Lord, regard our complaint: it is only against our faithless 
hearts. We have nothmg to plead, and renounce our pride 
before thee. Only leave us not to ourselves. Visit us 
with the wrestlings of thy Spirit ; and lay on us the cross, 
if we may but grow into the holiness, of Christ. Amen. 



FEBRUARY 20. 



IN thee, 0 Lord, do I put my trast ; let me never be 
ashamed : deliver me in thy righteousness. 
Bow down thine ear to me; dehver me speedily: be 
thou mv stronsf rock, for a house of defence to save me. 

For thou art my rock and my fortress j therefore for thy 
n e's sake lead me. and guide me. 

I:::o thine hand I commit my spirit : thou hast redeemed 
me. 0 Lord God of truth. 

I Vvdll be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast 
considered mv trouble : thou hast known mv soul in adver- 
sities. 

Have mercy upon me. 0 Lord, for I am in trouble. 

But I' trusted in thee. 0 Lord : I said, Thou art my God. 

Mv times are in thv hand. 

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for 
thy mercies' sake. 

Let me not be ashamed, 0 Lord; for I have called 
upon thee. 



Oh ye. beneath life's crushing load, 

Whose forms are bending low, 
Who toil along the climbing way 

With painful steps and slow : 
Look now ! for glad and golden hours 

Come swiftly on the wing ; — 
Oh ! rest beside the weary road 

And hear the angels sing. 



ALL is from thee, our Father and unfailing Friend, — 
all joy, all support, all progress, all hope. Oh, may 
we be worthy of thy great love \ using thy mercies accord- 
ing to thy will j renouncing all evil, and cleaving only to 
what is good. We thank thee for the daily proofs of thy 
love. We thank thee for thy gospel, which illumines the 
path of dut}', the dark places of sorrow, and the bed of 
death. !May we look beyond the bounds of mortalit}', and 
live for that blessedness which eye hath not seen, nor ear 
heard, nor the heart of man conceived. And wilt thou 
keep our eyes from tears, our feet from falling, and our 
souls from death. Amen. 




51 



FEBRUARY 21 




E not wise in thine own eyes : fear the Lord, and de- 
part from evil. 



Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first- 
fruits of all thine increase : 

So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses 
shall burst out with new wine. - . 

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither 
be weary of his correction : 

For w^hom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a 
father the son in whom he delighteth. 

Shine on our souls, eternal God, 

With rays of beauty shine ; 
Oh, let thy favor crown our days, 

And all their round be thine ! 

With thee let every week begin, 

With thee each day be spent. 
For thee each fleeting hour improved, 

Since each by thee is lent. 

Midst hourly cares may love present 

Its incense at thy throne ; 
And while the world our hands employs, 

Our hearts be thine alone. 

OHOLY Father, who hast graciously given us our 
mortal life, and in thy rich mercy offered us also 
joys that are eternal : forgive, we beseech thee, our folly in 
wandering from thy house to feed upon earthly husks. 
Bring us, by the influences of thy grace, to our right minds j 
and help us in our endeavor to return, and to lay hold on 
the hope set before us. And unto thee, through him who 
is the way, the truth, and the life, be all honor evermore. 
Amen. 



S2 



FEBRUARY 22 



WALK in the way of good men, and keep the paths 
of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in 
the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. 

The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth 
more and more unto the perfect day. 
The memory of the just is blessed. 
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely. 
In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway 
thereof there is no death. 

He that followeth after righteousness findeth life, right- 
eousness, and honor. 

Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach 
to any people. 

Praise to the good, the pure, the great, 

Who made us what we are, 
Who lit the flame that yet shall glow 

With radiance brighter far ! 
Glory to them in coming time, 

And through eternity, 
Who burst the captive's galling chain, • 

And bade the world go free. 

ETERNAL God, in whom the spirits of just men do 
rest in peace, we thank thee for all who have de- 
parted this life in thy fear and love, and for the hope of 
future joy in the resurrection of the just. Blessed be the 
memory of all thy faithful ones. Oh, let the cloud of wit- 
nesses, the innumerable comxpany of those who have gone 
before and entered into rest, be to us an example of godly 
life. Teach us who now dwell on earth to practise theii 
virtues, to imitate their fidelity, and to follow their example. 
With patience may we so run the race that is set before 
us, as to find entrance into thy heavenly presence. Amen 



S3 



FEBRUARY 23. 



AND besides this, giving all diligence, add to your 
faith virtue ; and to virtue, knowledge j 
And to knowledge, temperance ; and to temperance, pa- 
tience j and to patience, godliness ; 

And to godliness, brotherly kindness ; and to brotherly 
kindness, charity. 

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make 
you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the 
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see 
afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his 
old sins. 

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make 
your calling and election sure : for if ye do these things, ye 
shall never fall : 

For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abun- 
dantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Sa- 
viour Jesus Christ. 

Oh, not alone on the mount of prayer 

Must the Christian serve his God; 
But the burden of daily life must bear. 

And tread where his Saviour trod. 

Yet with him through every changing scene 

Doth the spirit of prayer abide ; 
When earth is lovely, and heaven serene, 

That spirit his course shall gaide. 

And when the storm rages, and woe and wrath 

Would an earth-born courage quell. 
He knows that his God is around his path, 

And ordereth all things well. 

LORD of all power and might, who art the Author and 
Giver of all good things : graft in our hearts the love 
of thy name ; increase in us true religion ; nourish us 
with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the 
same. And may the peace of God, which passeth all un- 
derstanding, keep our hearts and minds in the knowdedge 
and love of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen. 



54 



FEBRUARY 24- 



THE steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord : 
and he delighteth in his way. 
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down : for 
the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. 

I have been young, and now am old : yet have I not seen 
the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 

He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is 
blessed. 

Depart from evil, and do good ; and dwell for ever- 
more. 

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright : for the 
end of that man is peace. 

Lord, in thy light, oh let me walk this da\% 
By thy love prompted act, and speak, and pray, 

As a new creature it becomes to do, 
Whose aim it is, in all his words and ways, 
To set forth duly his Creator's praise, 

And new in heart, in life be also new. 

I pray not, " Take my troubles all away : " 
It is for love to bear them that I pray. 

And firm belief that all is for my good ; 
That every trouble must be kindly meant, 
Since from the hands of Him it must be sent, 

Who is my loving Father and my God. 

ENCOMPASS our minds this day, O our Father, with 
thoughts of heaven. Give thine angels charge con- 
cerning us, that our feet may not stumble : that we may 
run with patience the race that is set before us, in the 
strait and narrow way ; turning neither to the right hand 
nor to the left, and throwing aside every besetting sin. 
Oh, come, thou Spirit of truth, — come, and take up thine 
abode evermore in our souls. Be the life of our lives, — 
a fountain springing up within us to everlasting life, that 
we may never thirst again, and that our hearts may become 
like Eden, like the garden of the Lord. Amen. 



55 



FEBRUARY 25. 



I HAVE yet many things to say unto you^ but ye can- 
not bear them now. 
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will 
guide you into all truth : for he shall not speak of himself ; 
but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak : and he 
will show you things to come. 

He shall glorify me : for he shall receive of mine, and 
shall show it unto you. 

All things that the Father hath are mine : therefore said 
I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. 

A little while, and ye shall not see me : and again, a 
little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the 
Father. 

Thou Grace divine, encircling all, 

A soundless, shoreless sea, 
Wherein, at last, our souls shall fall, 

O Love of God most free ! 

When o'er dizzy steeps we go, 

One soft hand blinds our eyes. 
The other leads us safe and slow, 

O Love of God most wise ! 

And though we turn us from thy face, 

And wander wide and long, 
Thou hold'st us still in thine embrace, 

O Love of God most strong. 

ALMIGHTY God, thou divine Fountain and Dis- 
penser, thou Author and Finisher, of every good 
and perfect gift : carry on, we beseech thee, that work of 
grace v/hich we trust is already begun in us. May the 
good thoughts that are suggested to our minds spring up 
into fixed principles ; and may our heavenly desires be- 
come a new nature, and our holy purposes and resolutions 
advance into patient continuance in well-doing ; and may 
our obedience become more and more free, cheerful, and 
devout ! Oh, may our religious progress manifest the sin- 
cerity of our Christian profession, and that we are indeed 
alive unto God, and quickened by his Spirit ! Grant that 
by thy gracious help we may be like a flourishing tree 
planted by the rivers of water, and bringing forth its fruit 
in its season. Amen. 

^6 



FEBRUARY 26. 



THIS, then, is the message Avhich we have heard of 
him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in 
him is no darkness at all. 

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk 
in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth : 

But if we walk in the lidit. as he is in the lio-ht. we have 
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ 
his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and 
the truth is not in us. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive 
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liai^ 
and his word is not in us. 

The saddened heart, the restless soul, 

The toil-worn frame and mind, 
Alike confess thy sweet control, 

O Love of God most kind ! 

But not alone thy care we claim 

Our wayward steps to win ; 
We know thee by a dearer name, 

O Love of God within ! 

And, filled and quickened by thy breath, 

Our souls are strong and free 
To rise o'er sin and fear and death, 

O Love of God, to thee ! 

ALMIGHTY God. our Father and Preserver, who hast 
v;atched over us during the darkness, and made us 
glad with the light of this day : grant that we may employ 
it in thy most holy service ; and, even as thou sheddest 
now the beams of the sun upon the earth to give light 
tin to our bodies, so illumine our souls with the brightness 
of thy Spirit, to guide us in the paths of thy righteousness. 
O God, the strength of all them that trust in thee, we be- 
seech thee to continue to us thy gracious protection j and, 
as the day declineth, so make us mindful of the time when 
life also shall decline ; and grant us always to live in such 
a state that we may never be afraid to die. Hold us 
ready for that rest which Christ has entered as our fore- 
runner. Amen. 

57 . ■ 



FEBRUARY 27. 



BLESSED is the nation whose God is the Lord; and 
the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheri- 
tance. 

The Lord looketh from heaven j he beholdeth all the 
sons of men. 

From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the 
inhabitants of the earth. 

He fashioneth their hearts alike ; he considereth all 
their works. 

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, 
upon them that hope in his mercy ; 

To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive 
in famine. 

Our soul waiteth for the Lord : he is our help and our 
shield. 

For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have 
trusted in his holy name. 

Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we 

hope in thee. 

We scatter seeds with careless hand, 

And dream we ne'er shall see them more ; 
But for a thousand years 

Their fruit appears 
In weeds that mar the land, 
Or healthful store. 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, from whom cometh 
every good and perfect gift, send down upon us, thy 
children, the healthful spirit of thy grace ; and, that we 
may truly please thee, pour upon us the continual dew 
of thy blessing. Grant this, O God, for thy great love. 
Most gracious God, we humbly beseech thee that thou 
wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper all our consulta- 
tions to the advancement of thy glory, the good of thy 
church, the safety, honor, and welfare of our beloved coun- 
try ; that all things may be so ordered and settled upon 
tlie best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, 
tiuth and justice, religion and piety, may be established 
among us for all generations. These, and all other things 
necessary for us and thy whole church, we humbly beg in 
the faith and spirit of thy Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

58 



FEBRUARY 28. 



MY son, forget not my law ; but let thine heart keep 
my commandments : 
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they 
add to thee. 

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee : bind them about 
thy neck ; write them upon the table of thine heart : 

So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the 
sight of God and man. 

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart j and lean not unto 
thine own understanding. 

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct 
thy paths. 

He liveth long who liveth well, 

All else is life but flung away ; 
He liveth longest who can tell 

Of true things truly done each day. 

Then fill each hour with what will last, 

Buy up the moments as they go ; 
The life above, when this is past, 

Is the ripe fruit of life below. 

HEAVENLY Father, who lovest us always better than 
we know, we desire to love thee more and more. 
Thou dost grant us more good gifts than we deserve or 
rightly use. Thou art ever seeking to bless us, would 
we only accept thy blessing. Teach us that when we dis- 
obey thee, we harm ourselves ; while all things work to- 
gether for good to those who love and serve thee. Teach 
us what is good in thy pure sight, and help us to prac- 
tise the good we this day learn. May eveiy day's joy, toil, 
and trial bring us nearer to thee. Forgive our sins, and 
keep us from sinning again. Help us to seek and work 
for what is right and true. May we see in every human 
being a child of thine, and may all people learn to dwell as 
one great family in brotherly love. To thy service may we 
live, and in thy favor may we die. May thy kingdon come, 
and thy will be done. Amen. 



19 



FEBRUARY 29 



TURN us again O God, and cause thy face to shine ; 
and we shall be saved. 
O remember not against us former iniquities : let thy 
tender mercies speedily succor us 3 for we are brought 
very low. 

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the honor of thy 
name : for thy name's sake save us, and forgive our iniquities. 

May thy hand be over the man whom thy right hand 
hath established : the man whom thou madest strong for 
thyself. 

So will we no more turn back from thee. Revive us, 
and on thy name alone will we call. Restore us, O Lord 
God of hosts ! Show us the light of thy countenance, and 
we shall be saved. 

Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, 
With all thy quickening powers, 

Kindle a flame of sacred love 
In these cold hearts of ours. 

In vain we tune our formal songs. 

In vain we strive to rise : 
Hosannas languish on our tongues 

And our devotion dies. 

Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, 
With all thy quickening powers ; 

Come, shed abroad a Saviour's love, 
And that shall kindle ours. 

OLORD, I know not what I should ask of thee. Thou 
only knowest what I want ; and thou lovest me, if I 
am thy friend, better than I can love myself. O Lord, 
give to me, thy child, what is proper, whatsoever it may be. 
I dare not ask either crosses or comforts. I only present 
myself before thee. I open my heart to thee. Behold my 
wants, which I myself am ignorant of ; but do thou behold, 
and do according to thy mercy. Smite or heal. Depress 
me or raise me up. I adore all thy purposes without 
knowing them. I am silent. I offer myself in sacrifice. 
1 abandon myself to thee. I have no more any desire but 
to ac(^omplish thy will. Lord, teach me how to pray. 
Dwell thou thyself in me by thy Holy Spirit. Amen. 

60 



MARCH 1. 



A LITTLE that a righteous man hath is better than 
the riches of many wicked. 
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the 
Lord upholdeth the righteous. 

The Lord knoweth the days of the upright : and their 
inheritance shall be for ever. 

They shall not be ashamed in the evil time : and in the 
days of famine they shall be satisfied. 

The wicked borroweth^ and payeth not again : but the 
righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. 

For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth ! 
and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. 

Now with the rising golden dawn, 

Let us, the children of the day, 
Cast off the darkness which so long 

Has led our guilty souls astray. 

Oh, may the morn so pure, so clear, 

Its own sweet calm in us instil ; 
A guileless mind, a heart sincere, 

Simplicity of word and will : 

And ever, as the day glides by, 

May we the busy senses rein ; 
Keep guard upon the hand and eye, 

Nor let the body suffer stain. 

For all day long, on heaven's high tower, 

There stands a sentinel, who spies 
Our every action, hour by hour, 

From early dawn till daylight dies. 

OLORD, our heavenly Father, almighty and ever- 
lasting God, who hast safely brought us to the be- 
ginning of this day : defend us in the same with thy mighty 
power, and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither 
run into any kind of danger ; but that all our doings may 
be ordered by thy governance, to do always that which is 
righteous in thy sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
Amen. 



6i 



MARCH 2. 



N'OW there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 
And there are dilterences of administrations, but 
the same Lord. 

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same 
God which worketh all in all. 

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man 
to profit withal. 

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom : to 
another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit ; 

To another fairh by the same Spirit j to anodier the gifts 
of healing by tlie same Spirir ; 

To another the working of miracles : to another proph- 
ecy : to another discerning of spirits ; to another divers 
kinds of tongues ; to another the interpretation of tongues : 
But all these worketh tliat one and the selfsame Spirit, 
dividinp; to every man sever all v as he will. 

Let thy good Spirit by the word 
Work mightily within us, O Lord, 

Our souls and bodies filling ! 
O let the sun of grace shine bright, 
That there may^ be abundant light 
In us and in our dwelling : 
On our way, night and day, 
With the heavenlv manna feed us, 
To the heavenly Canaan lead us. 

OAL^MIGHTY and merciful God, vrho givest unto thy 
people thy Holy Spirit as a sure pledge of thy 
heavenly kingdom : gi'ant that thy Spirit may bear witness 
with our spirit, that we are thy children and heirs of ever- 
lasting life. O Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy Church 
and household continually in thy true religion : that they 
who do lean only upon the hope of thy heavenly grace may 
be defended by thy might}- power, and at length received 
into thv everlastina; kin2:dom. Amen. 



62 



MARCH 3. 



FOR as the body is one, and hath many members, and 
all the members of that one body, being many, are 
one body : so also is Christ. 

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, 
whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or 
free ; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 

But now hath God set the members every one of them 
in the body, as it hath pleased him. 

And if they were all one member, Avhere Avere the bodv ? 
But now are thev manv members, vet but one bodv. 
And the eve cannot sav unto the hand, I have no need 
of thee : nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of 
you. 

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem 
to be more feeble, are necessary : 

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer 
with it ; or one member be honored, all the members re 
joice with it. 

Send peace and blessing from above, 
Unite us all in faith and love, 

^Yho in this house are living ; 
Let charity our hearts prepare 
To suffer long and all things bear, 
Meek, gentle, and forgiving : 
Nor in aus:ht Christ hath tausfht 
Let us fail to one another. 
But each love and help his brother. 

O HEAVENLY Father, who hast commanded us to 
love one another as thy children, and hast ordained 
the highest friendship in the bond of thy Spirit : we be- 
seech thee to maintain and preserve us therein, with all 
those to whom we are bound by any especial tie. Send 
down upon us the dew of thy heavenly grace, and pour thy 
Spirit into our hearts, that, walking in thy way all the days 
of our lives, we may have joy in each other that passe th 
not away ; and, having lived together in love here; may 
hereafter live for ever together in that blessed kingdom to 
which thy glorified Son will welcome all his faithful disci- 
ples. Amen. 

63 



MARCH 4. 



FOR the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his 
saints : they are preserved for ever : but the seed of 
the wicked shall be cut oft. 

The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein 
for ever. 

The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his 
tongue talketh of judgment. 

The law of his God is in his heart ; none of his steps 
shall slide. 

Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt 
thee to inherit the land : 

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading 
himself like a green bay-tree. 

Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not : yea, I sought 
him^ but he could not be found. 

XoAV cloth the sun ascend the sky, 

And wake creation with its rav ; 
Keep us from sin^ O Lord most high, 

Through all the actions of the day. 

So when the evening stars appear, 
And in their train the darkness bring ; 

May we, O Lord, with conscieiv:e clear, 
Our praise to thy pure glory sing. 

OUR Father, who dost speak to us to-day as to thy 
servants of old, in the order of nature and life as 
from Sinai's a^^iul mount: thy righteous laws, wrought 
into the very frame of our being, bring penalties for eveiw 
disobedience, and unfailing reward to all lidelit}'. Thanks 
for the precepts, the example, the life, the character of 
Jesus Christ, the glorious pattern of the perfect life. O 
Father, look upon us in mercy and help us. We have 
manifold needs : thou hast the inexhaustible fulness 
whence all our wants may be supplied. Thou who in thy 
good providence dost give us our daily bread, oh, give to 
us that bread of life without which our souls perish. Thou 
who hast given us this mortal existence, prepare us we 
pray thee for the life immortal. Amen. 



64 



MARCH 5. 



BLESSFD is the man that walketh not in the counsel 
of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, 
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 

But his delight is in the law of the Lord ; and in his law 
doth he meditate day and night. 

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of 
water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season ; his leaf 
also shall not wither ; and whatsoever he doeth shall 
prosper. The ungodly are not so : but are like the chaff 
which the wind driveth away. 

For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous : but the 
way of the ungodly shall perish. 

Father in heaven, to whom our hearts 

Would lift themselves in prayer, 
Drive from our souls each earthly thought, 

And show thy presence there. 
Each moment of our lives renews 

The mercies of the Lord ; 
Each moment is itself a gift 

To bear us on to God. 

Help us to break the galling chains 

This world has round us thrown ; 
Each passion of our hearts subdue, 

Each cherished sin disown. 
O Father ! kindle in our souls 

A never-dying flame 
Of holy love, of grateful trust, 

In thine almighty name. 

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we thine 
unworthy servants do give thee most humble and 
hearty thanks for all thy goodness -and loving-kindness to 
us and to all men : we bless thee for our creation, preser- 
vation, and all the blessings of this life ; but, above all, for 
thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by 
our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the 
hope of glory. And, we beseech thee, give us that due 
sense of all thv mercies, that our hearts mav be unfeig-nedlv 
thankful, and that we may show forth thy praise, not only 
with our lips, but in our lives ; by giving up ourselves to 
thv service, and bv walkins* before thee in holiness and 
righteousness all our days ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

E 65 



MARCH 6. 



TRULY the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is 
for the eyes to behold the sun : ^ 
But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all ; 
yet let him remember the days of darkness ; for they shall 
be many. All that cometh is vanity. 

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth ; and let thy heart 
cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways 
of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes : but know 
thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into 
judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and 
put away evil from thy flesh. 

Oh, how kindly hast thou led me, 

Heavenly Father, day by day ; 
Found my dwelling, clothed and fed me, 

Furnished friends to cheer my way ! 
Didst thou bless me, didst thou chasten, 

With thy smile or with thy rod, 
'Twas that still my step might hasten 

Heavenward, homeward, to my God ! 

I would trust in thy protecting, 

Wholly rest upon thine arm, 
Follow wholly thy directing. 

Thou mine only guard from harm ! 
Keep me from mine own undoing, 

Help me turn to thee when tried ; 
Still my footsteps. Father, viewing, 

Keep me ever at thy side ! 

ALMIGHTY God, conducted thus far by thy goodness, 
we are here this day, living monuments of thy mercy. 
The day of our life on earth thou hast graciously prolonged ; 
and if thou wilt give us strength we may yet come off more 
than conquerors over the evil in the world. With patience 
may we run the race that is before us, and faithfully finish 
the work given us to do. The experience of every day 
teaches us that we are not sufficient to ourselves : give us 
a divine faith to meet the toil, trial, and suffering that 
await us. By humble confession of our sins and by the 
exercise of sincere devotion, we seek thine assistance, O 
Lord. Asking, may we receive ; seeking, may we find ; 
knocking, may thv kingdom be opened unto us. Amen. 

66 



MARCH 7. 



I KNOW thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and 
how thou canst not bear them which are evil ; ... and 
hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast 
labored, and hast not fainted. . . . To him that over- 
cometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the 
midst of the paradise of God. ... I know thy works, and 
tribulation, and poverty. . . . Fear none of those things 
which thou shalt suffer. ... Be thou faithful unto death, 
and I will give thee a crown of life. 

Thou who dost dwell alone, 

Thou who dost know thine own, 
Thou to whom all are known 

From the cradle to the grave, — 
Save, oh, save ! 

From the world's temptations, 
From tribulations, 
From that fierce anguish 
Wherein we languish ; 
From that torpor deep 
Wherein we lie asleep ; 
From the cradle to the grave, 
Save, oh, save. 

O TENDER and merciful Father, who dost sustain 
those who suffer for righteousness' sake, and hast 
made the blood of the martyrs the seed of the church : 
grant, we beseech thee, that we may readily make the 
sacrifices that may be required of us for the good of man- 
kind, and that all our sufferings may be sweetened by that 
love of thee which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. O God, 
the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing 
is strong, nothing holy : increase and multiply upon us thy 
mercy ; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so 
pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not those 
things which are eternal. Amen. 



67 



MARCH 8. 



I WILL praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart ; I 
will show forth all thy marvellous works. 
I will be glad and rejoice in thee : I will sing praise to 
thy name, O thou most high ! 

For thou hast maintained my right and my cause ; thou 
satest in the throne judging right. 

The Lord shall endure for ever : he hath prepared his 
throne for judgment. 

And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall 
minister judgment to the people in uprightness. 

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a 
refuge in times of trouble. 

And they that know thy name will put their trust in 
thee : for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek 
thee. 

My spirit on tliy care, 

O Father, I recline : 
Thou wilt not leave me to despair, 

For thou art love divine. 

In thee I place my trust, 

On thee I calmly rest : 
I know thee good, — I know thee just, 

And count thy will the best. 

OUR Father and best Friend on earth and in heaven, 
thy mercies never fail. They are more in number 
than the stars ; they are new every day, and fresh every 
moment. Oh, may we love thee as we ought. Though 
we see thee not, thou art ever near, on our right hand and 
our left. Thy righteous judgment weighs and measures 
us : and thy grace, ever ready to help us, is sufficient for 
every need. Oh, save us from evil desires, from unrighteous 
deeds, and from words and thoughts that are false or 
unkind. Help us to be faithful and patient, to be cheer- 
ful and loving. Tslay we daily aspire and grow toward the 
di\'ine stature and standard of excellence shown us in 
Jesus Christ. May we walk in that holy path where his 
footsteps lead the way. And to thee be praise for ever. 
Amen. 



68 



MARCH 9. 



I WILL extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, 
and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. 
O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed 
me. 

O Lord, th-^u hast brought up my soul from the grave : 
thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to 
the pit. 

Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thank? 
at the remembrance of his holiness. 

For his anger endureth but a moment ] in his favor is 
life : weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in 
the morning. 

And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. 

Since, now refreshed, the soul once more puts on new life and power, 

Oh, let thine image, Lord, alone gild the first waking hour ! 

Let that dear presence dawn and glow fairer than morn's first ray, 

And thy pure radiance overflow the splendor of the day : 

So in the coming even, so in the opening morn, 

\Yhen deeper slumber shall be given and fresher life be born. 

Shine out, true Light ! to guide my way amid that deepening gloom, 

And rise, O Morning Star ! the first that day-spring to illume ! 

HOXOR and praise be unto thee, O Lord, for all thy 
loving-kindness to us : for forming us after thine 
own image, for creating us anew by thy dear Son, for 
quickening us by thy Holy Spirit, for helping us in our 
necessities and dangers, comforting us in our tribulations 
and sorrows, and sparing us until this hour, the living to 
praise thee. O merciful Father, as we have received these 
benefits of thy great goodness, so grant us always thy 
Holy Spirit ; that we may continually grow in thankfulness 
to thee, and be led into all truth. O Lord, strengthen 
our faith j kindle in us a fervent love tov^ards thee and our 
neighbor. Suffer us not to receive in vain the rich and 
precious treasure of thy word. May it purify us from evil, 
and increase in us those heavenly virtues which were 
perfected in Jesus Christ. Hold thou us, that we may be 
delivered from all temptations, and may walk according to 
thy holy will until our lives' end. Amen. 

69 



MARCH 10. 



JESUS said, If a man love me, he will keep my words : 
and my Father will love him, and we will come unto 
him, and make our abode with him. 

He that ioveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and 
the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which 
sent me. 

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present 
with you. 

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the 
Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, 
and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I 
have said unto you. 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you : not 
as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart 
be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

We ask for peace, O Lord ! 
Thy children ask thy peace ; 
Not, what the woild calls rest, 
That toil and care should cease, 
That through bright sunny hours 
Calm life should fleet away, 
And tranquil night should fade 

In smiling day : 
It is not for such peace that we would pray. 

It is thine own, O Lord ! 
Who toil while others sleep, 
Who sow with loving care 
What other hands shall reap, ^ 
They lean on thee entranced, 
In calm and perfect rest : 
Give us that peace, O Lord, 

Divine and blest, 
Thou keepest for those hearts who love thee best. 

OGOD, who art the author of peace and lover of con • 
cord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal 
life, whose service is perfect freedom : grant us, thy ser- 
vants, we humbly beseech thee, that peace which the world 
can neither give nor take away ; that we, who in all our 
dangers rely on thy goodness, may under thy Fatherly pro- 
tection be defended against all adversities, and evermore 
rejoice in thy blessed service, through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

70 



MARCH 11. 



WHEN wisdom entereth into thine Iieart, and knowl- 
edge is pleasant unto thy soul ; 
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep 
thee : 

To deliver thee from tne way of the evil man, from the 
man that speaketh froAvard things ] 

Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways 
of darkness ; 

Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness 
of the wicked ; 

Whose ways are crooked, and they fro ward in their 
paths : 

That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and 
keep the paths of the righteous. 

For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect 
shall remain in it. 

But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the 
transgressors shall be rooted out of it. 

Through all this life's eventful road, 
Fain would I walk with thee, my God, 
And make thy presence light around, 
And every step on holy ground. 

Each blessing would I trace to thee, 
In every grief thy mercy see ; 
And through the paths of duty move, 
Conscious of thine encirclinsr love. 

And when the angel Death stands by, 
Be this my strength, that thou art nigh ; 
And this my joy, that I shall be 
With those who dwell in light with thee. 

OGOD, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so 
many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty 
of our nature we cannot always stand upright ; grant to us 
such strength and protection as may support us in all 
dangers, and cany us through all temptations, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



71 



MARCH 12. 



BLESSED is the man that endureth temptation: for, 
when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, 
which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of 
God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempt- 
eth he any man : But every man is tempted, when he is 
drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin ; 
and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 
Do not err, my beloved brethren. 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 
and Cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is 
no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

My God, my strength, my hope, 

On thee I cast my care, 
With humble confidence look up. 

And know thou hear'st my prayer. 

I want a godly fear, 

A quick-discermng eye, 
That looks to thee when sin is near, 

And bids the tempter fly ; 

A spirit still prepared, 

And armed with jealous care, 
For ever standing on its guard, 

And watching unto prayer. 

OTHOU who art without variableness or shadow of 
turning, we thank thee that thou needest not our 
poor prayers to teach thee of our need, to quicken thy 
mercy or to win thy love. Thou dost anticipate our needs 
before we call, and doest more and better for us than we 
can even ask or think. Thou dost adorn the summer and 
cheer the winter with thy presence ; thou foldest in thine 
arms all the worlds which thou hast made, and warmest 
with thy breath every mote that peoples the sun's beams, 
and dost bless every wandering, erring child of man. 
Give us the joy of knowing thee, and feeling the breath of 
thy Spirit upon us. May we know the sweet delight of 
daily serving thee, the infinite blessedness of becoming 
true children of God. Amen. 



72 



MARCH 13. 



JESUS saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour 
cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor 
yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 

Ye worship ye know not what : we know what we wor- 
ship ; for salvation is of the Jews. 

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true wor- 
shippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth : 
for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 

God is a Spirit : and they that worship him must wor- 
ship him in spirit and in truth. 

O Thou, to whom, in ancient time, 

The lyre of Hebrew bards was strung ; 

Whom kings adored in songs sublime, 

And prophets praised with glowing tongue : 

Not now on Zion's height alone 

Thy favored worshippers may dwell ; 

Nor where, at sultry noon, thy Son 
Sat weary, by the Patriarch's well. 

From every place below the skies, 

The grateful song, the fervent prayer, — 

The incense of the heart, — may rise 
To heaven, and find acceptance there. 

To thee shall age, with snowy hair, 

And strength, and beauty, bend the knee ; 

And childhood lisp, with reverent air. 
Its praises and its prayers to thee I 

OGOD, unsearchable : why are we so blind to thee, 
who besettest us behind and before ? In the dav- 
light of thy constant mercy, we scarcely lift our eye to the 
infinite heaven whence it flows. Now screen us with thy 
hand, O Lord, that we may not wait for the night of sor- 
row ; but here, under the shade of holy thought, may 
learn in what a world we live. Here let us rest froln the 
weary shows of life, and converse with thee, the Only 
True. And though thou receivest higher praise than ours, 
from natures that know thee more and serve thee better, 
yet tune our spirits and join our voices with theirs; and 
unite us with the faithful and saintly, there and here, in 
one light of faith, one beauty of holiness, one repose on 
thee. Amen. 

73 



MARCH 14. 



AND he went a little further, and fell on his face, and 
prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let 
this cup pass from me : nevertheless, not as I will, but as 
thou wilt. 

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them 
asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch 
with me one hour ? 

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the 
spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 

He went away again the second time, and prayed, say- 
ing, O my Father, if rhis cup may not pass away from me, 
except I drink it, thy will be done. 

Thy will be done ! In devious way 
The hurrying stream of life mav run ; 
Yet still our grateful hearts shall say, 
Thy will be done ! 

Thy will be done ! If o'er us shine 
A gladdening and a prosperous sun, 
This prayer shall make it more divme, — 
Thy will be done 1 

Thy will be done ! Though shrouded o'er 
Our path with gloom, one comfort, one, 
Is ours, — to breathe, while we adore, 
Thy will be done 1 

OLORD, we offer ourselves entirely to thee. Do with 
us as seemeth to thee best. We will cheerfully 
accept whatever thou shalt appoint, for it cannot be any 
thing but good. To all who may be ordained to suffer for 
thy sake, impart, O merciful God, such plentiful succor of 
thy Holy Spirit, pour into their hearts such contempt of 
pain and death, kindle within them such love of thee and 
zeal for thy truth, fill them with such an animating hope of 
immortality, give them so much of the spirit of him who 
died on the cross, that, after the example of the blessed 
saints and martyrs of the primitive ages, they may stead- 
fastly confess thee before men, and, having by their stif- 
ferings glorified thy name upon earth, may attain the ever- 
lasting crown of righteousness in thy kingdom, with him 
who loved us and gave himself for us. Amen. 

74 



MARCH 15. 



OUT of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. 
Lord, hear my voice ; let thine ear be attentive to the 
voice of my supplication. 

If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who 
shall stand? 

But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be 
feared. 

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word 
do I hope. 

My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch 
for the morning. 

Let Israel hope in the Lord : for with the Lord there is 
mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. 

Oh, is there a thought in the wide world so sweet, 
As that God has so cared for us, bad as we are, — 

That he thinks of us, plans for us, stoops to entreat, 
And follows us, wander we ever so far ? 

Then how can the heart e'er be drooping or sad, 

Which God hath once touched with the light of his grace ? 

Can the child have a doubt who but lately hath laid 
Himself to repose in the Father's embrace ? 

And is it not wonderful, servant of God, 

That he should have honored us so with his love, — 

That the sorrows of life should but shorten the road 
Which leads to himself and the mansion above } 

OTHOU unseen, but ever-present Spirit, whose pen- 
etrating sight no thought eludes nor act escapes : 
the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. Thou 
seest the inmost thought and purpose of every soul. Thou 
art acquainted with all our ways, and there is not a word 
in our tongues, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. 
May we remember that thou art ever with us on our right 
hand and left, besetting us behind and before, and that 
thy grace is sufficient for every need. May we know that 
no sin is overlooked, no virtue unrewarded, no true prayer 
unheard. - Oh, search thou our hearts and try our thoughts, 
and lead us in the way everlasting. Amen. 



75 



MARCH 16. 



INCLINE thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart 
to understanding. 
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and hftest up thy 
voice for understanding ; 

If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as 
for hid treasures ; - 

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and 
find the knowledge of God. 

For the Lord giveth wisdom : out of his mouth cometh 
knowledge and understanding. 

He keepeth the paths of judgment, and presen'eth the 
way of his saints. 

Lord, in heaven, thy dwelling-place, 
Hear the praises of our race, 
And, while hearing, let thy grace 
Dews of sweet forgiveness pour ; 
While we know, benignant King, 
That the praises which we bring 
Are a feeble offering, 
Till Thy blessing makes it more. 

More of truth, and more of might, 
More of love, and more of light, 
More of reason, and of right. 
From Thy pardoning gi'ace be given I 
This can make the humblest song 
Sweet, acceptable, and strong. 
As the strains the angels' throng 
Pour around the throne of heaven. 

OLORD God, be thou to us a rock of strength, and 
let us love nothing, and trust nothing, in comparison 
with thee. Grant us the spirit of soberness to guard our 
ways ; to avoid the beginnings of evil : to be temperate 
and pure j to conquer evil and cleave to the good j to 
make all our senses good servants, and not evil masters ; 
to give ourselves to prayer and duty, and study repentance 
next to innocence : and may thy holy providence fence 
round our paths, that we fall not into the power of sin, and 
keep us ever walking faithfully in thy service and the way 
of thy law. The Lord hear us in all time of our need, and 
watch over us, and give us peace. Amen. 

76 



MARCH 17. 



TEACH me, 0 Lord, the way of thy statutes ; and 1 
shall keep it unto the end. 
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law ; yea, 
I shall observe it with my whole heart. 

Make me to go in the path of thy commandments ; for 
therein do I delight. 

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to 
covetousness. 

Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity ; and 
quicken thou me in thy way. 

Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to 
thy fear. 

Turn away my reproach which I fear : for thy judgments 
are good. 

Behold, I have longed after thy precepts : quicken me 
in thv riditeousness. 



On our parched souls pour thou, O Lord, 

The freshness of thy grace : 
So penitence shall sprmg anew, 

And all the past efface. 

Grant us to fear thy holy law, 

To feel thy goodness nigh ; 
Grant us through life thy peace, in death 

Thine immortality. 



E praise and thank thee, 0 God, for all thy faithful 



V V servants who have departed this life : mercifully 
grant, we beseech thee, that we, being compassed about 
with so great a cloud of witnesses, may lay aside every 
weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run 
with patience the race that is set before us ; looking unto 
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. O Lord, bless 
all thy people, and may the kingdom of thy Son increase 
and shine throughout the world ; and ever}nA^here may the 
song of angels be heard, " Glory to God in the highest, on 
earth peace, and good-will among men.'' Amen. 





77 



MARCH 18. 



THEN shall the King say unto them on his right hand. 
Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom 
prepared for you from the foundation of the world : 

For I was a hungered, and ye gave me meat : I was 
.thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye 
took me in : 

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited 
me : I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying. Lord, when 
saw we thee a hungered, and fed thee ? or thirsty, and 
gave thee drink ? 

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or 
naked, and clothed thee ? 

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto 
thee? 

And the King shall answer and say unto them. Verily 
I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of 
the least of these mv brethren, ve have done it unto me. 

One cup of healmg oil and wnie, 
One tear-drop shed on mercy's shrine, 
Is thrice more gi'ateful, Lord, to Thee, 
Than lifted eye or bended knee. 

In true and genuine faith we trace 
The source of every Christian grace ; 
Within the pious heart it plays, 
A living fount of joy and praise. 

Kind deeds of peace and love betray 
Where'er the stream has found its way ; 
But where these spring not rich and fair, 
The stream has never wandered there. 

OHOLY and ever-blessed God, teach us to love one 
another with pure hearts fervently; to exercise for- 
bearance and forgiveness toward our enemies ; to recom- 
pense no man evil for evil, but to be merciful as thou, 
Fadier in heaven, art merciful ; that in the spirit of thy 
Son Jesus Christ we may follow after thee as dear chil- 
dren. Amen. 



78 



MARCH 19. 



AND, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Mas- 
ter, what good thing shall I do, that I may have 
eternal life ? 

And he said unto him. Why callest thou me good ? there 
is none good but one, that is, God : but if thou wilt enter 
into life, keep the commandments. 

He saith unto him, Which ? Jesus said. Thou shalt do 
no murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt 
not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness, 

Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love 
thy neighbor as thyself. 

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I 
kept from my youth up : what lack I yet ? 

Jesus said unto him. If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell 
that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have 
treasure in heaven : and come and follow me. 

The world is wise for the world is old ; 

Five thousand years their tale have told : 

Yet the world is not happy, as the world might be,— 

Why is it ? why is it ? Oh, answer me ! 

- The world is kind if we ask not too much ; 

It is sweet to the taste and smooth to the touch : 
Yet the world is not happy as the world might be, — 
Why is it ? why is it ? Oh, answer me ! 

What lackest thou, world ? for God made thee of old ; 
Why — thy faith hath gone out, and thy love grown cold : 
Thou art not happy, as thou mightest be, 
For the want of Christ's simplicity. 

OGOD, our heavenly Father, who didst send thy Son 
into the world, not to condemn the world, but that 
the world through him might be saved : have mercy upon 
us. O God, our heavenly Father, who by thy Son callest 
the wanderers home, who by thy Holy Spirit dost comfort, 
direct, and sanctify the hearts of thy faithful servants : have 
mercy upon us. Remember not, Lord, our offences : 
spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, for thy great love 
to us in Jesus Christ. Amen. 



79 



MARCH 20. 



AS Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even 
so must the Son of man be lifted up : 
That whosoever belie veth in him should not perish, but 
have eternal life. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only 
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not 
perish, but have everlasting life. 

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn 
the world j but that the world through him might be 
saved. 

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun 
Does his successive journeys run ; 
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, 
Till moons shall wax and wane no more. 

For him shall endless prayer be made, 
And praises throng to crown his head ; 
His name, like sweet perfume, shall rise 
With every morning sacrifice. 

Blessings abound where'er he reigns, 
The prisoner leaps to loose his chains, 
The weary find eternal rest, 
And all the sons of want are blest. 

HEAVENLY Father, God and Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, who didst send him into the world 
that the world through him might be saved: we thank thee 
for the inestimable blessings which he lived and died to 
give us ; for his manifestations of thy love and paternal 
care ; for his holy example ; for his revelations of thy will, 
and for his promise of eternal life. Assist us by thy Holy 
Spirit, O God, so to repent of our sins, that we may 
depart from every evil way, in thought, word, and deed. 
Give us humble and contrite hearts, and assist us worthily 
to follow him whose life was perfect obedience and perfect 
love. And enable us in all that we do to glorify thy name. 
Amen. 



80 



MARCH 21. 



HE that believeth on him is not condemned ; but he 
that believeth not is condemned already, because 
he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten 
Son of God. 

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into 
the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, 
because their deeds were evil. 

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither 
Cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 

But he that doeth truth cometh to the li2:ht, that his 
deeds mav be made manifest, that thev are wrous^ht in 
God. 

Spirit of truth ! who makest bright 
All souls that long for heavenlv light, 
Appear, and on my darkness shine ; 
Descend, and be my guide divine. 

O tender Spirit I who dost mourn 
Whene'er thy people from thee turn, 
Gh-e me each day to grieve thee less, — 
Enjoy my fuller taithfulness ; 

Till thou shalt make me meet to bear 
The sweetness of heaven's holv air, 
The light wherein no darkness is. 
The eternal, overflowing bliss. 

OGOD, the Creator and PreserA-er of all mankind : we 
humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of 
men ; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways 
known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. We 
pray for the good estate of the Church Universal ; that it 
may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that 
all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led 
into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, 
in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. We 
commend to thy Fatherly goodness all those who are any 
ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate ; that 
it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according 
to their several necessities, giving them patience under 
their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. 
And this we beg for thy mercy's sake in Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

F 8i 



MARCH 22. 



TAKE heed that ye despise not one of these little 
ones ; for I say unto you, That in heaven their 
angels do always behold the face of my Father which is 
in heaven. 

For the Son of man is come to save that which was 
lost. 

How think ye? if a man have a hundred sheep, and one 
of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninet}^ and 
nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which 
is gone astray ? 

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he 
rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine 
which went not astray. 

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in 
heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 

Come, said Jesus' sacred voice, 
Come and make my paths your choice ; 
I will guide you to your home ; 
Weary pilgrim 1 hither come. 

Thou who, houseless, sole, forlorn, 
Long hast borne the proud world's scorn, 
Long hast roamed the barren waste, 
Weary pilgrim I hither haste. 

TT'ATHER of mercies, we give thee thanks for thy 



loving-kindness to us and all men. Created in thine 
own image, capable of knowing good and evil, thou hast 
granted us the high calling of children of the most High. 
Fill us with thy gracious Spirit, lead us with thy hand, and 
make us worthy of our divine privilege. May falsehood 
and deceit have no place in our words or deeds. In 
temptation may thy good Spirit keep us from falling. 
May we obey thy commands, be holy in thy sight, obtain 
thy favor, and fi^id entrance to thy nearer presence and 
everlasting kingdom. Amen. 




82 



MARCH 23. 



AND Jesus went about all the cities and villages, 
teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the 
gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and 
every disease among the people. 

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with 
compassion on them, because they fainted, and were 
scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 

Then saith he unto his disciples. The harvest truly is 
plenteous, but the laborers are few ; 

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will 
send forth laborers into his harvest. 

How sweetlv flowed the gospel's sound 
From lips of gentleness and grace, 
When listening thousands gathered round, 
And joy and reverence filled the place. 

From heaven he came, of heaven he spoke, 
To heaven he led his followers' way ; 
Dark clouds of gloomy night he broke, 
Unveiling an immortal day. 

" Come, wanderers, to my Father's home, 
Come, all ye weary ones, and rest ! " 
Yes, sacred Teacher, we will come, 
Obey thee, love thee, and be blest. 

OGOD, Fountain of mercy, dispose us, we beseech 
thee, to the love and practice of kindness and 
mercy, that we may have a tender fellow-feeling for the 
afflictions of our brethren ; and may apply ourselves cheer- 
fully to strengthen them in all goodness, to relieve their 
miseries, to supply their wants, and to comfort their sorrows. 
Oh may we be ever ready to assist the oppressed, to right 
the injured, to sustain the afflicted, to pardon them that 
have offended us, to render good for evil, to honor all 
men. Give us grace to imitate' those who live well, and to 
beware of them that do ill ; make us patient in adversity, 
and moderate in prosperity. Set a watch before our 
mouths, and keep the door of our lips ; and let our affec- 
tions be fixed on heaven and heavenly things. Amen. 



83 



MARCH 24. 



IS not God in the height of heaven ? And behold the 
height of the stars, how high they are ! 
Acquaint now thyself with him and be at peace : thereby 
good shall come to thee. 

Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth : and lay 
up his words in thine heart. For then thou shalt have 
delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto 
God. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him. and he shall 
hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows. 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 

Acquaint thee, O spirit, acquaint thee with God, 
And joy, like the sunshine, shall beam on thy road ; 
And peace, like the dew, shall descend round thy head, 
And sleep, like an angel, shall visit thy bed. 

Acquaint thee, O spirit, acquaint thee with God, 
And he shall be with thee w^hen fears are abroad ; 
Thy safeguard in danger that threatens thy path, 
Thy joy in the valley and shadow of death. 

OTHOU who art infinite perfection, we thank thee for 
thyself : out of thy power, thy wdsdom, thy justice, 
and thy love have flowed forth this world of matter and 
this world of man, and that kingdom of heaven whereinto 
we all hope to enter at -the last. We thank thee for thy 
loving-kindness and thy tender mercy, which are over all 
thy works j and, when we cannot see save through a glass 
darkly, w^e will still trust thee with infinite longing that 
casteth out ever}^ fear. Father in heaven, we pray thee 
that w^e may live noble lives on earth, unfolding our nature 
day by day, growing wiser and better as we change time 
into life, and daily work into exalted character. So may 
we live that every day we may learn some new truth, prac- 
tise some new virtue, and become dearer and more beau- 
tiful in thine own sight. So may thy kingdom come and 
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen. 



84 



MARCH 25. 



I WILL lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence 
cometh my help. 
My help cometh from the Lord, who made heaven and 
earth. 

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved ; he that keepeth 
thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall 
neither slumber nor sleep. 

The Lord is thy keeper ; the Lord is thy shade upon the 
right hand ; the sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the 
moon by night. 

The Lord shall guard thee from all evil ; he shall pre- 
serve thy soul j the Lord shall preserve thy going out and 
thy coming in, from this time forth, and even for evermore. 

OMXIPOTE^XE is on your side, 

And wisdom watches o'er your heads, 

And God himself will be your guide, 
So ye but follow where he leads ; 

How many, guided by his hand, 

Have reached ere now their native land : 
Press on ! 

HEAVENLY Father, shed abroad thy love in our 
hearts, that we may love thee above all things, and 
our neighbor as ourselves, and by that charity which never 
faileth be abundantly refreshed in our toils and sufferings. 
Bless all. those who are called to the ministry of thy 
gospel ; grant them great gifts, and great holiness, and 
may they be fruitful branches of the true vine. Remem- 
ber, O God, all those who bear good fruits and do good 
works in thy vineyarde Remember all who are in author- 
ity : enlighten and guide them ; and so dispose and order 
the affairs of this nation, that righteousness and truth may 
prevail ; and that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives 
in all godliness and honesty. Amen. 



8s 



MARCH 26 




ALL no man your father upon the earth : for one is 
your Father, which is in heaven. 



Neither be ye called masters : for one is your Master, 
even Christ ; 

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased ; and 
he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 

To thee and to thy love, 

For help, O Lord, I flee ; 
In thy great might I must prevail ; 

0 Lord, deliver me. 

It is not strength that wins : 

My weakness is my shield ; 
In lowly trust we fight the fight, 

And meekness wins the field. 

Give me the lowly heart ; 

Cast out each thought of pride ; * 
Let Gentleness and Love come in, 

And as my guests abide. ^ 

Thy will, not mine, be done ; 

1 would not choose my own ; 
But let me ever, ever be 

Thy s-ervant. Lord, alone. 

LORD of heaven and earth, thy loving-kindness is con- 
stant and infinite. Thou hast guarded us from 
danger, and strengthened us in our weakness. Thou hast 
led us with kind and fatherly guidance, and made us glad 
with unnumbered gifts and favors. Forgive our ingrati- 
tude and disobedience. With penitence and godly sor- 
row may we turn from sin, and surrender our souls anew 
to thy guidance, and spend the days to come in loyal and 
loving service. Prepare us for the duties of the day, and 
for thy summons, when it shall come, to enter thy nearer 
presence. To-day and for ever may we live in thy holy 
keeping. Amen. 

86 



MARCH 27. 



HE that loveth father or mother more than me is not 
worthy of me : and he that loveth son or daughter 
more than me is not worthy of me. 

And he that taketh not his cross, and foUoweth after me, 
is not worthy of me. 

He that findeth his life shall lose it : and he that losetli 
his life for my sake, shall find it. 

Not yet I love my God 

With- undivided heart ; 
Not yet I tread the heavenly road 

With feet that ne'er depart. 

Not yet is all thy will 

Sweet to this heart of mine ; 
Not yet I hasten to fulfil 

Each dear command of thine. 

But shall T not one day, 

My God, be all thine own ; 
Rejoicing, all thy will obey, 

And do thy works alone ? 

GOD of all goodness and love, we most humbly be- 
seech thee to give us wisdom from above, that we 
may glorify thee and adore thy ways, which are in the 
great deep, and past searching out. Teach us to submit 
to thy providence in all things ; to be content in all changes 
of person and condition ; to be temperate in prosperity, 
and to read our duty in the lines of thy mercy ; and in 
adversity to be meek, patient, and resigned ; to look through 
the cloud, that we may wait for the consolation of the Lord 
and for the day of redemption ; in the mean while doing 
our duty with an unwearied diligence and an undisturbed 
resolution, having no fondness for the vanities of this 
world, but laying up our hopes in heaven, and being 
strengthened with might by thy Spirit in the inner man, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



87 



MARCH 28. 



HO hath measured the waters in the hollow of his 



VV hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and 
comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and 
weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a bal- 
ance ? 

Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his 
counsellor hath taught him ? 

With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, 
and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him 
knowledge, and showed to him the way of understanding ? 

Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are 
counted as the small dust of the balance ; behold, he 
taketh up the isles as a very little thing. 

All nations before him are as nothing ; and they are 
counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. 



O Holy Father, jast and true 

Are all thy works and words and ways, 
And unto thee alone are due 

Thanksgiving and eternal praise ! 
As children of thy gracious care, 

We veil the eye, we bend the knee, 
With broken words of praise and prayer, 

Father and God we come to thee. 



OVEREIGN of earth and air and skies, all thy creatures 



v3 great and small bow in homage before thee, waiting 
for thy commands that they may execute thy will. We, 
too, join in the general chorus, and offer thee our hymns of 
praise. We, too, wait for thy commands, and would execute 
thy will. Before thee the nations are but as a drop of a 
bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance ; 
yet thou dost not despise the day of small things, for we 
are still thy children and the objects of thy care. Give 
us of thy grace that we may be truly wise. Thy will would 
we make our law. May we live in thy fear and serve thee 
in love, and be built up of thee in all things good and 
holy. Amen. 




88 



MARCH 29. 



ENTER not into the path of the wicked, and go not 
in the way of evil men. 
Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. 
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that 
shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 

My son, attend to my words ; incline thine ear unto my 
sayings. 

Let them not depart from thine eyes ; keep them in the 
midst of thine heart. 

For they are life unto those that find them, and health 
to all their flesh. 

Keep thy heart with all diligence ; for out of it are the 
issues of life. 

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look 
straight before thee. 

Have mercy, O Father ! 

To thee do we cry ; 
Faint, weary, and wayworn, 

To thy wings we fly : 

Speak peace to our souls, 

Without thee we die. 

We wander in darkness. 

Oh, grant us thy light ; 
We stray from the pathway, 

Lost, lost in the night : 

Oh, be thou our Guide, 

And lead us aright. 

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who makest us both 
to will and to do those things that be good and 
acceptable unto thy divine majesty : we would offer our 
humble supplications unto thee that we thy servants may 
be enabled to fulfil our duties as disciples of Jesus Christ 
and children of the Most High. Let thy Fatherly hand ever 
be over us ; let thy Holy Spirit ever be with us ; guide and 
help, strengthen and sanctify us, we beseech thee : that by 
the living bond of obedience and charity we may be united 
to thee and thy beloved Son. Amen. 



89 



MARCH 30. 



AT the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, 
Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven ? 
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in 
the midst of them, 

And said. Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted 
and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the 
kingdom of heaven. 

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little 
child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my 
name receiveth me. 

What thou shalt to-day provide, 

Let me as a child receive ; 
What to-morrow may betide, 

Cahnly to thy wisdom leave : 
'Tis enough that thou wilt care ; 
Why should I the burden bear ? 

As a little child relies 

On a care beyond his own ; 
Knows he 's neither strong nor wise, 

Fears to stir a step alone ; 
Let me thus with thee abide, 
As my Father, Guard, and Guide ! 

ALMIGHTY God, may thy kingdom be advanced in 
all hearts, this day. May the truth as it is in Jesus 
be everywhere faithfully proclaimed, and received into good 
and honest minds, where it shall spring up and bear the 
immortal fruits of holy living. Send its blessed consola- 
tions into afflicted souls ; and let it bind up the broken- 
hearted, and give liberty to the captive. Fill all hearts 
with the joy and gladness of thy presence ; and let thy 
will be done by men on earth as it is by angels in heaven : 
and to thee shall be the glory for ever. Amen. 



90 



MARCH 31. 



LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure 
of my days, what it is ; that I may know how frail 
I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an hand- 
breadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily 
every man at his best state is altogether vanity. 

Surely every man walketh like a shadow : surely he dis- 
quieteth himself in vain : he heapeth up riches, and know- 
eth not who shall gather them. 

What, then, O Lord, is my hope ? ^ly hope is in thee. 
Deliver me from all my unrighteousness : make me not 
the reproach of the impious. I am dumb, I open not my 
mouth ; because thou hast done it. Remove thy stroke 
away from me : I perish by the blow of thine hand. When 
thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, tbou con- 
sumest his beauty like a moth : surely every man is vanity. 

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cr\' : 
hold not thy peace at my tears : for I am a stranger with 
thee and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. 

O, spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go 
hence, and be no more. 

Brief life is here our portion, 

Brief sorrow, short-lived care ; 
The life that knows no ending, 

The tearless life is there. 
Reward of grace how wondrous I 

Short toil — eternal rest I — 
Oh, miracle of mercy ! 

That we should be so blest ! 

OLORD most high, with thy whole Church through- 
out the world we especially give thanks to thee for 
all thy saints departed ; and for the hope of future joy in 
the resurrection of the just. Oh, let the cloud of witnesses, 
the innumerable company of those who have gone before 
and entered into rest, be to us an example of godly life ; 
even now may we rejoice in their happiness ; and with pa- 
tience may we so run the race that is set before us, as to 
have an entrance administered abundantly into thy heav- 
enly presence, to be united with them and the Lord Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 

} 91 



APRIL 1. 




OD be merciful unto us, and bless us ; and cause his 



That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving 
health among all nations. 

Let the people praise thee, O God ; let all the people 
praise thee. 

O let the nations be glad and sing for joy : for thou shalt 
judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon 
earth. 

Let the people praise thee, O God ; let all the people 
praise thee. 

Then shall the earth yield her increase ; and God, even 
our own God, shall bless us. 

God shall bless us ; and all the ends of the earth shall 
fear him. 

O YE of fearful hearts, be strong ! 
Your downcast eyes and hands lift up, 
Doubt not, nor cry, " O God, how long ! " 
Hope to the end, in patience hope ! 
Oh, never from 3^our faith remove ; 
Ye cannot fail, for God is love ! 

Lord, we have faith ; we wait the hour 
Which to the earth thy kingdom brings ; 
When thou, in love and joy and power, 
Shalt come and make us priests and kings ; 
When man shall be indeed thy son, 
And thy pure will on earth be done. 

7E do not presume to come to the table of thy daily 



V V bounty, O merciful Father, trusting in our own 
righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We 
earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for our past sins. 
But, O Lord God, thy mercy endureth for ever. Grant us 
therefore so to partake of the blessings of thy good 
providence, that by faith in thee our souls may be purified 
from all evil, and that we may evermore dwell in thee, and 
thy Holy Spirit may dwell in us. Amen. 



face to shine upon us ; 




APRIL 2. 



BUT after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest 
up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and 
revelation of the righteous judgment of God ; 

Who will render to every man according to his deeds : 
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek 
for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life : 

But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the 
truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath : 

Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that 
doeth evil ; of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile : 

But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh 
good ; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile : 
For there is no respect of persons with God. 

Sing to the Lord a ncAv, glad song ! 
He comes to overthrow all ^Yrong ; 
Ye ^Yeary, lift your heads and sing ! 
Justice on earth he comes to bring. 

Deep are his counsels and unknown, 
But love and truth support his throne ; 
Though darkest clouds his ways surround, 
Justice is their eternal ground. 

In awful beauty he appears : 
The evil-doer shrinks and fears ; 
The righteous lifts his joyful song, — 
"He comes, he comes to right all wrong." 

ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, we thank thee 
that in thine own good time thou didst send thy 
beloved Son to proclaim thy truth and will, to publish good 
tidings of great joy to all souls, and to seek the wandering 
and lead them home. Filled with thy Spirit, he reconciles 
thy rebellious children to thy most holy law. Permitted 
as we are to know his gospel, and to feel the inspiration 
of his blessed life, may we have grace so to follow in his 
footsteps that our hearts may be purified and regenerate, 
and maybe freed from the power of sin and death. Hasten 
the time, O God, when before thy majesty every knee shall 
bow, and every heart confess thee to be the King eternal. 
Amen. 



93 



APRIL 3. 



TAKE heed that ye do not your ahns before men, to be 
seen of them : otherwise ye have no reward of your 
Father which is in heaven. 

Therefore when thou doest thine ahns, do not sound a 
tmmpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues 
and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily 
I say unto you, They have their reward. 

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know 
what thy right hand doeth : 

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which 
seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 

Gracious Spirit, dwell with me ; 
I myself would gracious be, 
And, with words that help and heal, 
Would thy life in mine reveal ; 
And with actions bold and meek 
Christ's owm gracious spirit speak. 

Truthful Spirit, dwell with me ; 
I myself would truthful be, 
And with wisdom kind and clear 
Let thy life in mine appear ; 
And with actions brotherly 
Follow Christ's sincerity. 

Tender Spirit, dwell with me ; 
I myself would tender be ; 
Shut my heart up like a flower 
At temptation's darksome hour ; 
Open it when shines the sun, 
And his love by fragrance own. 

OGOD, who givest us the day for labor, and the night 
for rest : grant, we beseech thee, that this day may 
be profitable to us in heavenly things, and refresh and 
strengthen us to finish the work which thou hast given us 
to do. O blessed God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest, 
take us into thy gracious keeping for the coming night ; 
and make us mindful of that night when the noise of this 
busy world shall be heard by us no more. O Lord in whom 
we trust, help us by thy grace so to live that we may never 
be afraid to die, and grant that at the last our even-song 
may be : I will lay me down in peace and sleep, for thou, 
Lord, makest me dwell in safety. Amen. 

94 



APRIL 4. 



REATE in me a clean heart, O God ^ and renew a 



Cast me not away from thy presence ; and take not thy 
holy spirit from me. 

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation ; and uphold 
me with thy free spirit. 

Then will I teach transgressors thy ways ; and sinners 
shall be converted unto thee. 

O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show 
forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice ; else 
would I give it : thou delightest not in burnt-offering. 

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit : a broken and 
a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 

Father, to us thy children, humbly kneeling, 

Conscious of weakness, ignorance, sin, and shame, 

Give such a force of holy thought and feeling. 
That we may live to glorify thy name : 

That we may conquer base desire and passion, 
That we may rise from selfish thought and will, 

O'ercome the world's allurement, threat, and fashion, 
Walk humbly, gently, leaning on thee still. 

Let all thy goodness by our minds be seen. 

Let all thy mercy on our souls be sealed. 
Lord, if thou wilt, thy power can make us clean, 

Oh, speak the word ! thy servants shall be healed. 



E bless thee, O God, for this new day and for all thy 



V V bounties that enrich it. For the inspiration with 
which thou seekest the souls of thy children of every age 
and clime we thank thee ; for the gift of the good and wise 
and faithful ones that have blessed the world and made 
it better ; for the blessing of thy chosen ones who have 
taught us of heaven and thee ; for every throb of gladness 
that thrills our being ; for the joys which kindle our 
gratitude ; for the warnings of conscience and the remorse 
that turns us from sin ; for all thy myriad gifts, and most 
of all for the dearest joy of all, that with mind and heart 
we may know that thou art good, and love and serve thee 
for ever, as our Father and best Friend, in time and eternity. 
Amen. 




right spirit within me. 




95 



APRIL 5. 



THESE six things doth the Lord hate ; yea, seven are 
an abomination unto him : 
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed 
innocent blood, 

A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be 
swift in running to mischief, 

A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth 
discord among brethren. 

My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake 
not the law of thy mother : Bind them continually upon 
thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. 

When thou goest, it shall lead thee ; when thou sleepest, 
it shall keep thee ; and when thou awakest, it shall talk 
with thee. For the commandment is a lamp ; and the law 
is light j and reproofs of instruction are the way of life. 

Vainly I strive through the darkness to see 
The path I must travel, ' tis hidden from me ; ^ 
Halting, despairingly, kneeling, I say, 
* Father, I cannot go ; there is no way." 

Lo ! as I kneel at his feet humbly bowed. 

My pathway is shown through a break in the cloud, — 

No road stretching far, the horizon to meet, 

Only one step, lying close at my feet. 

Place my feet in it, O Father above ! 

Teach me to trust in thy infinite love I 

The way that is hidden from me still thou knowest, 

Make me content with the step that thou showest. 

OGOD, who art the fountain of all holiness, grant unto 
thy ser\^ants grace to obey thy blessed will in all 
virtuous and godly living ; that we may come to those 
unspeakable joys which thou hast prepared for them that 
love thee and keep thy commandments. O Lord, who art 
King of all the earth, and Father of mankind: now of 
thine infinite goodness accept the offerings which with a 
free and joyful heart we bring to thee ; and do thou grant 
that the blessings thou mayest vouchsafe to us may be 
devoted to thy service and the welfare of thy people, through 
Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. 

96 



APRIL 6. 



HERE is none holy as the Lord : for there is none 
besides thee: neither is there any rock like our 



The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions 
are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, 
and they that stumbled are girded with strength. 

The Lord killeth, and maketh alive : he bringeth down 
to the grave, and bringeth up. 

The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich : he bringeth 
low, and lifteth up. 

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the 
beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and 
to make them inherit the throne of glory : for the pillars 
of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon 
them. He will keep the feet of his saints. 

When I awake I am still with thee. 



Still with thee, O my God, 

I would desire to be : 
By day, by night, at home, abroad, 

I would be still with thee, — 

With thee, when day is done, 
And evening calms the mind ; 

The setting as the rising sun 

With thee my heart would find, — 

With thee, in thee by faith, 

Abiding would I be ; 
By day, by night, in life, in death, 

I would be still with thee. 



E invoke thy presence, O thou at whose word the 



sun ariseth and man goeth forth to his work and 



to his labor until the evening. We ask thy blessing. 
Without thee we can do nothing. With thee we can 
have nothing to fear. Thou art all in all. For every step 
that we take, for every breath that we draw, strength cometh 
from thee. Thy favor is life, and thy loving-kindness is 
better than life. For every duty may we be strengthened 
by the thought of thy presence. Lift thou up the light of 
thy countenance upon us. Wherever we go, let thy voice 
be heard, and thy peace cause all around and within to 
shine with the brightness of heaven. Amen. 




God. 




G 



97 



APRIL 7. 



THE kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a 
field ; the which when a man hath found, he hideth. 
and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and 
buyeth that field. 

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant- 
man, seeking goodly pearls : 

Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went 
and sold all that he had, and bought it. 

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was 
cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind : 

Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat 
down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad 
away. 

If on our daily course our mind 
Be set to hallow all we find, 
New treasures still of countless price 
God will provide for sacrifice. 

As, for some dear familiar strain, 
Untired, we ask and ask again, 
Ever in its melodious store 
Finding a spell, unheard before ; 

Such is the bliss of souls serene, 

When they have sworn and steadfast mean, 

Counting the cost, in all to espy 

Their God, in all themselves deny. 

ALIMIGHTY God, who hast taught us that, without true 
regeneration of heart and purity of life, no man can 
enter into thy heavenly kingdom : we beseech thee to grant 
us the baptism of thy good Spirit, and that sanctification 
of our bodies and souls by which we become heirs of eternal 
life. Send down upon us all saving influences, and quicken 
within us a new faith and purpose, that we may have strength 
faithfully to keep our promises and perform our best vows. 
Strengthen us in the hour of temptation ; encourage us in 
all times of trial and difiiculty ; establish us in every good 
word and work ; and so conduct us through this life that 
we may enter evermore thy kingdom of peace and love. 
Amen. 



98 



APRIL 8, 



HAVE mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving- 
kindness : according unto the multitude of thy tender 
mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly 
from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I ac- 
knowledge my transgressions ; and my sin is ever before me. 

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this 
evil in thy sight j so that thou art justified when thou 
speakest, and upright \vhen thou judgest. 

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward heart : teach 
me, therefore, w^isdom in my inmost soul. 

Purge me with hyssop, until I be clean : wash me, until 
I be whiter than snow. Hide thy face from my sins, and 
blot out all mine iniquities. 

Love for all ! and can it be ^ 
Can I hope it is for me ? 
I, who strayed so long ago, 
Strayed so far, and fell so low ! 

I the disobedient child, 
Wayward, passionate, and wild ; 
I who left my father's home, 
In forbidden ways to roam ! 

To my Father can I go, — 
At his feet myself I'll throw ; 
In his house there yet may be 
Place, a servant's place, for me. 

See ! my Father waiting stands ; 
See ! he reaches out his hands; 
God is love ! I know, I see, 
There is love for me, e'en me ! 

OGOD, that despisest not the sighing of a broken 
heart, nor the desire of the sorrowful : mercifully 
answer our prayers that we make before thee in all our 
trouble, trial, and sorrow, whencesoever they come upon 
us ; and for the glory of thy holy name turn from us all 
those evils that we most justly have deserved ; and grant, 
that in all anxiety, sickness, or weakness, we may put our 
whole trust in thy kindness and faithfulness, and ever serve 
thee in holiness, patience, and pureness of living ; to thy 
honor and glory, through thy grace quickening and thy 
truth upholding us for ever. Amen. 

99 



APRIL 9. 



I THEREFORE beseech you that ye walk worthy of the 
vocation wherewith ve are called, 
With all lowliness and meekness, vrith longsuffering, 
forbearing one another in love ; 

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond 
of peace. 

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called 
in one hope of your calling ; 

One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through 
all, and in you all. 

But unto eveiy one of us is given grace according to the 
measure of the gift of Christ. 

Come to me, thoughts of heaven ! 

My fainting spirit bear 
On your bright wings, by morning given, 

Up to celestial air. 
Away, far, far away, 

From thoughts by passion given, 
Fold me in pure, still, cloudless day, 

O blessed thoughts of heaven ! 

Come in my tempted hour, 

Sweet thoughts I and yet again 
O'er sinful wish and memory shower 

Your soft effacing rain. 
Waft me where gales divine 

With dark clouds ne'er have striven ; 
Where living founts for ever shine : 

O blessed thoughts of heaven ! 

OGOD. the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince 
of peace ; give us grace seriously to lay to heart the 
great dangers we are in by unhappy divisions and un- 
brotherly strife. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and 
whatsoever else mav hinder us from o-odlv union and con- 
cord ; that, as there is but one body and one spirit, and one 
hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one 
God and Father of all, so we may henceforth be all of 
one heart, and of one soul ; and, united in one holy bond 
of truth and peace, of faith and charit}^, may glorify thy 
blessed name for ever and ever. Amen. 



100 



APRIL 10. 




ONDER the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be 
established. 



Turn not to the right hand nor to the left : remove thy 
foot from evil. 

My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to 
my understanding : 

That thou may est regard discretion, and that thy lips 
may keep knowledge. For the ways of man are before 
the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings. 

Weak and irresolute is man ; 

The purpose of to-day, 
Woven with pains into his plan, 

To-morrow rends away ; 
Some foe to his upright intent, 

Finds out his weaker part ; 
Virtue engages his assent, 

But pleasure wins his heart. 

Bound on a voyage of awful length 

And dangers little known, 
A stranger to superior strength, 

Man vainly trusts his own. 
But oars alone can ne'er prevail 

To reach the distant coast : 
The breath of heaven must swell the sail. 

Or all the toil is lost. 

OGOD, who givest understanding to man, and instruct- 
est him out of thy law : grant unto us, thy servants, 
such knowledge as may best enable us to do good, and a 
sincere disposition to improve the knowledge we possess. 
Suffer us not, we beseech thee, to be drawn aside from our 
obedience to thy laws, by the love of pleasure, of riches, or 
of fame. Deliver us from irregular desires, vain hopes, 
and foolish fears : and prepare us by innocence and purity 
of manners, and a steadfast faith in thee, for all the events 
of this mortal life, and for our departure out of this world. 
By the constant exercise of piety, righteousness, and mercy ; 
by meekness, patience, and moderation ; by truth and 
fidelity, candor and charity ; by an humble, resigned, and 
contented spirit, — may we become fitted for the society of 
the just made perfect in thy heavenly kingdom. Amen. 



APRIL 11. 

ART thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine 
Holy One ? We shall not die. 
Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst 
not look on iniquity: 

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon die tower, 
and wdll \vatch to see what he will say unto me, and what 
I shall answxr when I am reproved. 

And the Lord answered me, and said. Write the vision, 
and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that 
readeth it. 

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the 
end it shall speak, and not lie : though it tarry, wait for it ; 
because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 

Behold, the soul of him that is puffed up shall not be at 
ease ; but the just shall live by his faith. 

I LOOK to thee in every need, 

And never look in vain ; 
I feel thy strong and tender love, 

And all is well again ; 
The thought of thee is mightier far 

Than sin and pain and sorrow are. 

Discouraged in the work of life, 

Disheartened by its load, 
Shamed by its failures or its fears, 

I sink beside the road ; — 
But let me only think of thee, 
And then new heart springs up in me. 

OLORD, our heavenly Father, we beseech thee that it 
may please thee to give us a heart to love and fear 
thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments ; that 
it may please thee to give to all thy people increase of grace^ 
to hear meekly thy word, and to receive it with pure affec- 
tion, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit ; that it 
may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such as 
have erred and are deceived ; that it may please thee to 
strengthen such as do stand, and to comfort and help the 
weak-hearted, and to raise up them that fall, and finally to 
give us the victory over temptation. Amen. 



102 



APRIL 12. 



HEAR, O Lord, when I cry with my voice : have mercy 
also upon me, and answer me. 
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face ; my heart said unto 
thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. 

Hide not thy face far from me j leave me not, neither 
forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and 
my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. 
Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path. 
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness 
of the Lord in the land of the living. 

Wait on the Lord : be of good courage, and he shall 
strengthen thine heart : wait, I say, on the Lord. 

Cometh sunshine after rain, 

After mourning joy again, 

After heavy bitter grief 

Dawneth surely sweet relief ; 

And my soul, who from her height 
Sank to realms of woe and night, 
Wingeth now to heaven her flight. 

Though to-day may not fulfil 
All thy hopes, have patience still ; 
For perchance to-morrow's sun 
Sees thy happier days begun. 

As God willeth march the hours, 

Bringing joy at last in showers, 

And whate'er we asked is ours. 

MAKE us, O our Father, daily sensible of our depen- 
dence on thee, and of our inward wants, destitution, 
and weakness. Lay open to us our corrupt motives. Ex- 
pose to us our hidden vices, in all their depravity. Teach 
us to look steadily into ourselves, till we shall see, with 
something of thine own abhorrence, every evil affection. 
Lead us away from false resources to a sure dependence 
on thy perfect will, and may this reign supreme within us. 
Help us to look through the disguises of self-love, to judge 
ourselves truly, to anticipate the revelations of the last day; 
and let not this knowledge of our deficiencies and deformi- 
ties fill us with dejection, but rather endear us to thy 
mercy, and lead us to thy grace, while rousing us to vigil- 
ance and to firm and faithful conflict with everv- irresfular 

103 



APRIL 13. 



HE Lord called Samuel ; and he answered, Here am I. 



J. Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was 
the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. 

And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And 
he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I ; for thou 
didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called 
the child. 

Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down : and it 
shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say. Speak, Lord ; 
for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in 
his. place. And the Lord came, and stood, and called as 
at other times, Samuel ! Samuel ! Then Samuel answered, 
Speak j for thy servant heareth. 

Hushed was the evening hymn, 

The temple courts were dark, 
The lamp was burning dim 

Before the sacred ark, 
^Yhen suddenly a voice divine 
Rang through the silence of the shrine. 

The old man, meek and mild, 

The priest of Israel, slept; 
His watch the temple-child, 

The little Levite, kept ; 
And w^hat from Eli's sense w-as sealed, 
The Lord to Hannah's son revealed. 

Oh give me Samuel's ear, 

The open ear, O Lord ! 
Alive and quick to hear 

Each whisper of thy word : 
Like him to answer at thy call. 
And to obey thee first of all. 

BLESSED God, may we endeavor to profit by thy 



divine instructions, by which w^e know that this 
world is only given as a preparation for heaven : and that 
we must here school our tempers to the charity and benev- 
olence of thy kingdom of holy peace, where no feelings of 
hatred, anger, or pride can ever be admitted. O Lord, 
may we earnestly endeavor to obtain here such dispositions 
as may fit us for the company of the blessed in paradise, 
and of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 




104 



APRIL 14. 



AND Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors 
of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to 
show Eli the vision. 

Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. 
And he answered, Here am I. 

And he said. What is the thing that the Lord hath said 
unto thee ? I pray thee hide it not from me : God do so to 
thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all 
the things that he said unto thee. 

And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from 
him. And he said, It is the Lord : let him do what seem- 
eth him good. And Samuel grew, and the Lord w^as with 
him, and did let none of his words^ fall to the ground. 

Oh give me Samuel's heart, — 

A lowly heart that waits 
Where in thy house thou art, 

Or watches at thy gates ; 
By day and night, a heart that still 
Moves at the breathing of thy will. 

Oh give me Samuel's mind, — 

A sweet unmurmuring faith, 
Obedient and resigned 

To thee in life and death ; 
That I may read with childlike eyes 
Truths that are hidden from the wise. 

OLORD, how marvellous is thy loving-kindness and 
tender mercy, which thou spreadest out over nature 
and beast and man. In loving-kindness hast thou made all 
things j and in tender mercy thou watchest over the wan- 
derings of the ^vorld, blessing those that sorrow, and re- 
calling such as go astray. Oh, whither can we flee from thy 
presence ? If we take the wings of the morning and dwell 
in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand 
lead us, and thy right hand hold us. Yea, Lord, our trans- 
gression hideth us not from thee ; but thine eye seeth in 
sin as in righteousness, in the night as in the day ; and 
when our hearts cry out against us, wilt thou, who art 
greater than our heart, still take us up, bear us on rhy 
wings, and bless us with thine infinite love? Amen. 



APRIL 15. 



GIVE ear to my prayer, O God ; and hide not thyself 
from my supplication. 
Attend unto me, and hear me : 

My heart is sore pained within me : and the terrors o£ 
death are fallen upon me. 

And I said. Oh that I had wings like a dove ! for then 
would I fly away, and be at rest. 

We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the 
house of God in company. 

As for me, I will call upon God ; and the Lord shall 
save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, 
and cry aloud : and he shall hear my voice. 

He hath delivered my soul in peace. 

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain 
thee : he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 

O Father, as thou wilt, 

0 may thy will be mine I 
Into thy hand of love 

1 would my all resign. 
Through sorrow, or through joy, 

Conduct me' as thine own; 
And help me still to say, 
Thy will, O Lord, be done. 

O Father, as thou wilt, 

All shall be well for me ; 
Each changing future scene 

I gladly trust with thee. 
Straight to my home above 

I travel calmly on. 
And sing in life or death. 

My Lord ! thy will be done. 

O HEAVENLY Father, Fountain of all goodness : we 
beseech thee to show thy mercies upon us, thy chil- 
dren, and sanctify the gifts we receive from thy bountiful 
hands. Grant us grace to use them soberly and purely, ac- 
cording to thy blessed will. May we acknowledge thee to 
be the Author and Giver of all good things ; and, above all, 
may we continually seek those spiritual blessings where- 
with our souls may be nourished unto everlasting life. 
Amen. 

1 06 



APRIL 16. 



WHEREWITHAL shall a young man cleanse his 
way ? by taking heed thereto according to thy 

word. 

With my whole heart have I sought thee : O let me not 
wander from thy commandments. 

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin 
against thee. 

Blessed art thou, O Lord : teach me thy statutes. 

With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy 
mouth. 

I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much 
as in all riches. ♦ 

I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto 
thy ways. 

I will delight myself in thy statutes : I will not forget 
thy word. 

The trivial round, the common task, 
Will furnish all we ought to ask : 
Room to deny ourselves ; a road 
To bring us daily nearer God. 

Seek we no more ; content with these, 
Let present rapture, comfort, ease, 
As heaven shall bid them, come and go : 
The secret this of rest below. 

Only, O Lord, in thy dear love, 
Fit us for perfect rest above ; 
And help us, this and every day, 
To live more nearly as we pray. 

OGOD, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, 
and all just works do proceed : give unto thy servants 
that peace which the world cannot give ; that both our 
hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also 
that by thee we being, defended in every hour of danger 
may pass our time in rest and quietness. Lighten our 
darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord ; and by thy great 
mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of the day and 
the night. Amen. 



107 



APRIL 17 



HE saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am f 
And Shnon Peter answered and said, Thou art the 
Christ, the Son of the Hving God. 

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, 
Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it 
unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 

And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon 
this rock I will build my church ; and the gates of hell 
shall not prevail against it. 

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of 
heaven : and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be 
bound in heaven : and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth 
shall be loosed in heaven. 

O THOU who hast at thy command 

The hearts of all men in thy hand ! 
Our wayward, erring hearts incline 
To know no other will but thine. 

Our wishes, our desires, control ; 
Mould every purpose of the soul ; 
O'er all may we victorious be 
That stands between ourselves and thee. 

Thrice blest will all our blessings be, 
When we can look through them to thee ; 
When each glad heart its tribute pays 
Of love and gratitude and praise. 

HOLY and merciful Lord God, who multipiiest upon us 
the gifts of thy heavenly grace : grant that in the 
spirit of thy best beloved Son we may be enabled to bear 
our crosses, and that by his resurrection we may have good 
hope of a happy end to our earthly pilgrimage. Almighty 
God, w^ho hast given thy Son our Saviour both to save us 
from sin and to be unto us an ensample of godly life : 
give us grace that w^e may always most thankfully receive 
that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavor our- 
selves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life. 
Amen. 

loS 



APRIL 18 



THE Lord is my sheplierd ; I shall not want. 
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures : he 
leadeth me beside the still waters. 

He restoreth my soul : he leadeth me in the paths of 
righteousness for his name's sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of 
death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me j thy rod 
and thy staff they comfort me. 

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that 
ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having 
done all, to stand. 

Oh, send me not awa}' ! for I would drink, 
Even I, the weakest, at the fount of life ; 
Chide not my steps, that venture near the brink, 
AVeary and fainting from the deadly strife. 

Went I not forth undaunted and alone, 
Strong in the majesty of human might ? 
Lo ! I return, all wounded and forlorn, 
My dream of glory lost in shades of night. 

Was I not girded for the battle-field ? 
Bore I not helm of pride and glittering sword ? 
Behold the fragments of my broken shield, 
And lend to me thy heavenly armor, Lord ! 

FATHER, w^e thank thee for thy constant care, and 
would submit ourselves to thy holy guidance. Since 
thou gives t us continued life, may we day by day attain 
life's true end. We ask thine aid, that we may w^alk in the 
^vay of thy commandments. Keep us in thy faith and love. 
Prepare us for the changes of our mortal life. Let not 
prosperit}^ make us unmindful of thee, or corrupt our in- 
tegrity. Keep our conscience void of offence. Teach us 
to feel the uncertaint}^ of life, and the value of every hour ; 
may each passing day witness some progress in the way 
of W'isdom ; and, when our days on earth are ended, may 
we enter thy nearer presence to render thee higher service 
Amen. 

109 



APRIL 19. 



AS the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth 
my soul after thee, O God. 
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God : when 
shall I come and appear before God ? 

My tears have been my meat day and night, while they 
continually say unto me, Where is thy God ? 

Why art thou cast down, O my soul ? and why art thou 
disquieted in me ? hope thou in God : for I shall yet praise 
him for the help of his countenance. 

The Lord will command his loving-kindness in the day- 
time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my 
prayer unto the God of my life. 

Oft have I walked the woodland paths 

Without the blest foreknowing 
That, underneath the withered leaves, 

The fairest buds were growing. 
To-day the south wind sweeps away 

The types of autumn's splendor, 
And shows the sweet arbutus flowers, 

Spring's children pure and tender, 

O prophet souls, with lips of bloom 

Outvying in their beauty 
The pearly tints of ocean shells ! 

Ye teach me faith and duty. 
Walk life's dark ways, ye seem to say. 

With love's divine foreknowing 
That, where man sees but withered leaves, 

God sees the sweet flowers growing. 

HEAVENLY Father, we beseech thee to guide us by 
day, and watch over us by night, and preserve us 
from all harm. In the duty of the day strengthen and sus- 
tain us ; and, in the night of affliction and trouble, may we 
look up unto thee, and be comforted with the assurance 
that thou wilt hereafter wipe away all tears from our eyes. 
And when we come to the dark valley of the shadow of 
death, be thou our guide and comforter, and bring us to 
the regions of endless day. O God, we commit ourselves 
entirely to thy disposal ; and, whether we enjoy or suffer, 
whether we live or die, may we be mercifully accepted as 
thy children, and disciples of thy son Jesus Christ. Amen. 

no 



APRIL 20. 



HOW can ye, being evil, speak good things ? for out of 
the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bring 
eth forth good tilings : and an evil man out of the evil 
treasure bringeth forth evil things. 

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall 
speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judg- 
ment. 

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy 
words thou shalt be condemned. 

Great God ! create my soul anew, 

Conform my heart to thine ; 
Melt down my will, and let it flow 

And take the mould divine. 

Then not the sun shall more .than I 

His Maker's law perform ; 
Nor travel swifter through the sky, 

Nor with a zeal so warm. 

OTHOU, whose goodness brings life out of myster}^ 
we would commit our souls unto thee as an ever- 
faithful friend. Since we are the children of thy love, may 
we live as thy children by loving hearts and lives. Help 
us to serve thee faithfully in patience and humility and in 
hatred of all sin ; to crucify the beginnings of evil, by mor- 
tifying pride, and burying evil thoughts in good works. 
So let us be quickened in newness of life, set our hearts on 
things holy and pure, and judge ourselves ere we be 
judged. May thy Spirit breathe into our souls fresh life, 
and thy truth speak to us, and thy providence grant us a 
portion among the holy and upright persons who form thy 
Church everywhere. With all such let us have a fellow- 
ship of the Spirit, and, when it may be, a fellowship of wor- 
ship and toil. May we be of those who watch or strive in 
behalf of the good and true, who to faith add virtue, 
and to virtue temperance, — who hold a steadfast hope 
amidst knowledge of truth, and have the peace of God 
which passes understanding. Amen. 



Ill 



APRIL 21. 



I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of 
God, that ye present your bodies a . living sacrifice, 
holy, acceptable unto God ; which is your reasonable service. 

And be not conformed to this world : but be ye trans- 
formed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove 
W'hat is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. 

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every 
man that is among 3^ou, not to think of himself more highly 
than he ought to think ; but to think soberly, according as 
God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 

For as we have many members in one body, and all 
members have not the same office : 

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every 
one members one of another. 

Grant us a body pure within, 

A wakeful heart, a ready will ; 
Grant us by no deep cherished sin 

The fervor of the soul to chill. 

Fill thou our souls, Redeemer true ! 

With thy most pure celestial ray ; 
So may we walk in safety through 

All the temptations of this day. 

OTHOU whose eye is over all the children of men, 
and who hast called them, by thy Prince of peace, 
into a kingdom not of this w^orld : send forth his spirit 
speedily into the dark places of our guilt and woe, and 
arm it with the piercing power of thy grace. May it reach 
the heart of every oppression, and make arrogancy dumb 
before thee. Let it still the noise of our strife and the 
tumult of the people ; put to shame the false idols of 
every mind j carry faith to the doubting, hope to the fear- 
ful, strength to the weak, light to the mourner ; and more 
and more increase the pure in heart who see their God. 
Commit thy w^ord, O Lord, to the lips of faithful men, o^ 
the free wdnds of thine invisible providence ; that soon the 
knowledge of thee may cover the earth, as the waters cover 
the channels of the deep. And so let thy kingdom come, 
through Jesus Christ thy Son. Amen. 

112 



APRIL 22. 



FOR none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to 
himself. 

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord ; and whether 
we die, we die unto the Lord : whether we live therefore, 
or die, we are the Lord's. 

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, 
that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou 
set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before 
the judgment-seat of Christ. 

For it is written. As I live, saith the Lord, every knee 
shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 

So, then, every one of us shall give account of himself 
to God. 

Living or dying, Lord, I would be thine ! 

Oh what is life ? a toil, a strife, 
Were it not lighted by thy love divine. 

I ask not wealth, I crave not health : 
Living or dying, Lord, I would be thine ! 

Living or dying, Lord, I would be thine ! 

Throughout my days be constant praise 
Uplift to thee from out this heart of mine ; 

So shall I be brought nearer thee : 
Living or dying, Lord, I would be thine ! 

OTHOU whose tender mercies are over all thy works : 
trusting in thy loving-kindness we come to thee. 
Wert thou strict to mark or severe to punish, we durst not 
approach thee. But thou art merciful and gracious, slow 
to anger, and plenteous in mercy. Thou hast not dealt 
with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our 
iniquities : for as the heaven is high above the earth, so 
great is thy mercy toward them that fear thee. Like as a 
Father pitieth his children, so thou pitiest them that fear 
thee : for thou knowest our frames, thou rememberest that 
we are dust. Bless the Lord, O our souls ; and all that is 
within us, bless his holy name. O may thy goodness, 
righteous Father, lead us to repentance. And may thy 
purposes of divine goodness be accomplished in us. We 
ask for our kindred, our country, and all mankind. Amen. 

H 



APRIL 23. 



BLESS the Lord, O my soul ; and all that is within me 
bless his holy name. 
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits : 
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities : who healeth all thy 
diseases : who redeemeth thy life from destruction : who 
crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies : 

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy 
youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and 
plenteous in mercy. 

As the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his 
mercy toward them that fear him. 

While thee I seek, protecting Power ! 

Be my vain wishes stilled ; 
And may this consecrated hour 

With better hopes be filled. 

Thy love the powers of thought bestowed, 

To thee my thoughts would soar; 
Thy mercy o'er my life has flowed, 

That mercy I adore ! 

In each event of life, how clear 

Thy ruling hand I see ! 
Each blessing to my soul more dear 

Because conferred by thee. 

OTHOU in whom we live and move and have our 
being, to thee we owe life and all that makes life 
dear to us. Thanks we give thee for the returning light 
and our daily bread ; for home and health and frie-nds ; 
for the instructions of thy truth, and the opjDortunities of 
thy service ; for repeated warnings against sin, and the 
ample rewards that crown our fidelity ; for the sweet and 
kindly ties that bind us one to another, and the pure affec- 
tions that spring up in our hearts, fountains of bliss un- 
speakable ; for all that renders this world a pleasant home 
and fits us for the life to come. May a deep sense of thy 
loving-kindness warm our hearts with gratitude ; and may 
we show thee our gratitude by faithful and loving lives. 
And may we so use all thy good gifts that they shall .help 
us to serve thee acceptably Jiere and hereafter. Amen. 



APRIL 24. 



LIKE as a father pitieth his children^ so the Lord pitieth 
them that fear him. 
For he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are 
dust. 

As for man his days are as grass ; as a flower of the 
field so he flourisheth. 

For the wind passeth over it and it is gone ; and the 
place thereof shall know it no more. 

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to ever- 
lasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto 
children's children. 

To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remem- 
ber his commandments to do them. 

In every joy that crowns my days, 

In every pain I bear, 
My heart shall find delight in praise, 

Or seek relief in prayer. 

When gladness wings my favored hour, 

Thy love my thoughts shall fill ; 
Resigned, when storms of sorrow lower, 

My soul shall meet thy will. 

My lifted eye, without a tear. 

The gathering storm shall see ; 
My steadfast heart shall know no fear : 

That heart shall rest on thee ! 

OTHOU whose help is always nearest when most 
needed : comfort those who mourn and are op- 
pressed with their afflictions, or labor under the burden 
of a troubled mind : relieve the poor, and defend the cause 
of the fatherless and the widow: strengthen those who 
languish on the bed of sickness, and those who are depart- 
ing from this world. Keep them all from sinning against 
thee, and from being overwhelmed by too heavy a sorrow. 
Let the events of their lives be under the control of reason 
and thy Holy Spirit, and end in holiness, in peace, and py 
eternal. Amen. 



APRIL 25. 



GOD is our refuge and strength^ a very present help 
in trouble. 

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, 
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the 
sea ; though the' waters thereof roar and be troubled, 
though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. 

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad 
the city of God, the holy dwelling-place of the Most High. 

God is in the midst of her ; she shall not be moved : God 
shall help her, and that right early. 

The Lord of hosts is with us ; the God of Jacob is our 
refuge. 

Be still, and know that I am God : I am exalted among 
the heathen, I am exalted in the earth. 

The Lord of hosts is with us : the God of Jacob is our 
refuge. 

Opt, how the thought of God attracts, 

And draws the heart from earth, 
And sickens it of passing shows 
And dissipating mirth ! 

God only is the creature's home, 

Though long and rough the road ; 
Yet nothing else can satisfy 

The love that longs for God. 

Oh ! utter but the name of God 

Dowm in your heart of hearts, 
And see how from the world at once 

All tempting light departs. 

How little of that road, my soul, 

How little hast thou gone ! 
Take heart and let the thought of God, 

Allure thee further on. 

OLORD, our heavenly Father, Almighty and ever- 
lasting God, who hast safely brought us to the be- 
ginning of this day : defend us in the same with thy mighty 
power ; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither 
run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may 
be ordered by thy governance, to do always that which 
is righteous in thy sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

ii6 



APRIL 26. 



WHO is a wise man and endued with knowledge 
among you? let him show out of a good conver- 
sation his works with meekness of wisdom. 

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, 
glory not, and lie not against the truth. 

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, 
sensual, devilish. 

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and 
every evil work. 

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then 
peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated; full of mercy 
and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them 
that make peace. 

The pure and peaceful mind, 

The meek and lowly heart, 
The patient will to thine resigned, 

God of all power, impart. 

Lord ! make us timely wise 

To know thy call of grace, 
And with the moment, as it flies, 

Run our appointed race. 

Thus, till we reach the goal, 

All else to count but loss ; 
Nor, till we gain the prize, — our soul, — 

Grow weary of the cross. 

OHOLY Father, eternal God ! we, thy children, bow 
before thee : we come to ask of thee, O God, that 
wisdom which is pure and peaceable. We implore that 
fruit of the Spirit which is gentleness and goodness. Help 
us to have control over ourselves. May we learn the gen- 
tleness of Christ, and be ourselves clothed with his spirit. 
May kindness and love rule in our hearts. Give us, amid 
the strifes of a rude world, the gentle spirit that overcomes 
the mighty, the gentle words that turn away wrath. In 
this spirit would we live ; in this spirit would we die. And, 
O God of gentleness and love, in thine own good time take 
us to dwell with thee evermore. Amen. 



117 



APRIL 27. 




ESUS said unto them, They that be whole need not a 
physician, but they that are sick. 



But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have 
mercy, and not sacrifice : for I am not come to call the 
righteous, but sinners to repentance. 

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me ; for I am meek 
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

For my yoke-is easy, and my burden is light. 

Come, ye disconsolate, where'er ye languish, 

Come, at the shrine of God fervently kneel ! 
Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish : 

Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. 

Joy of the desolate, light of the straying, 

Hope, when all others die, fadeless and pure : 

Here speaks the Comforter, in God's name saying, 
Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot cure. 

Here see the bread of life ; see waters flowing 
Forth from the throne of God, living and pure ; 

Come to the feast of love, — come, ever knowing 
Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot cure. 



art ever near to all thy children : hear us now 1 for 
we seek thee early and long to find thee. We thank thee 
for Jesus Christ, who came to show us the way of life, and 
to draw us closer to our Father and our God. May we in 
spirit so come to Jesus and follow in his footsteps that he 
may lead us to thee, his Father and our Father. May we 
no longer wait or wander in sin, but this day set our faces 
heavenward and give our hearts to thee. Accept thou our 
offering. May our souls never be stained with guilt, but 
by thy watchful favor kept ever pure and ever safe. As 
the angels in heaven do always behold thy face, so may 
we who are on earth live as in thy pure presence, do thy 
will, and win thy smile, and be glad all our days. Amen. 




whose best name is Love, who 



ii8 



APRIL 28. 



CAST thy bread upon the waters : for thou shalt find 
it after many days. 
If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon 
the earth : and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward 
the north, in the place Avhere the tree falleth, there it 
shall be. 

He that observeth the wind shall not sow ; and he that 
regardeth the clouds shall not reap. 

In the morninsf soav thv seed, and in the evenino; with- 
hold not thine hand : for thou knowest not whether shall 
prosper, either this or that, or whether .they both shall be 
alike good. 

There cometh o"er the spirit, 

With each returning year, 
The thought that thou,\he Father, 

Art ever to us near : 
\Yith hope of life dispelling 

The death that winter brought ; 
And flowers and fruits foretelling, 

With fragrant beauty fraught. 

'Tis this which calls thy children. 

In sweet accord to raise, 
Beneath thy blue-domed temple, 

One general hymn of praise 
To thee, the ever-living, 

The universal King, 
Who never ceasest giving 

Each good and perfect thing. 

OLORD God, who hast made glorious the name of 
thy Son Jesus Christ : mercifully grant us, we beseech 
thee, such a participation of his spirit, that we may even 
here possess rich measures of his heavenly strength and 
comfort; and that hereafter we maybe admitted to the 
full joy of his blessed presence for ever. 

O God, the protector of all that trust in thee, without 
whom nothino; is strons:. nothino; holv : increase and nmlti- 
ply upon us thy mercy ; that, thou being our ruler and 
guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we 
lose not those thinsfs which are eternal. Amen. 

"9 



APRIL 29. 



GREAT is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the 
city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. 
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is 
Mount Zion, the city of the great King. 
God is known in her palaces for a refuge. 
As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the 
Lord of hosts, in the citv of our God : God will establish 
it for ever. We remember thy loving-kindness, O God, in 
the midst of thy temple. 

As thy name, O God, so extends thy praise unto the 
ends of the earth : thv ri2:ht hand is full of ri2:hteou5ne5s. 

Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be 
glad, because of thy judgments. 

Walk about Zion, and go round about her : tell the 
towers thereof. 

Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces. 
For this God is our God for ever and ever : he will be 
our guide unto death. 

Thv calmness bends serene above, 

My restlessness to still ; 
Around me flows thy quickening life, 

To nerve my faltering will ; 
Thy presence fills mv solitude ; 
Thy providence turns all to good. 

Em.bosomed deep in thy dear love, 

Held in thy law I stand ; 
Thy hand in all things I behold, 

And all things in thy hand ; 
Thou leadest me by unsought ways, 
And turn'st my mourning into praise. 

ALMIGHTY God, in whom our strength is perfected 
in weakness : keep us both outwardly in our bodies, 
and inwardly in our souls ; that we may pass our days in 
peace and quietness, and be filled with the fruits of right- 
eousness. O Lord, from whom all good things do come : 
grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspira- 
tion we may think those things that be good, and by thy 
merciful guidance may perform the same, as true followers 
of thy Son Jesus Christ. Amen. 

I20 



APRIL 30. 



HE that is not with m3 is against me ; and he that 
gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blas- 
phemy shall be forgiven unto men : but the blasphemy 
against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of 
man, it shall be forgiven him : but whosoever speaketh 
against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, 
neither in this world, neither in the world to come. 

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good ; or else 
make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt : for the tree 
is known by his fruit. 

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast 
it from thee : for it is profitable for thee that one of thy 
members should perish, and not that thy whole body should 
be cast into hell. 

Where human weakness has come short, 

Or frailty stepped aside, 
Do thou, all good I for such thou art, 

In shades of darkness hide. 

Where with intention I have erred, 

No other plea I have 
But, thou art good ; and goodness still 

Delighteth to forgive. 

HEAVENLY Father, may our souls be earnest in the 
love of truth, and evermore seek truth in inward 
thought and outward act. May truth be in our innermost 
thoughts at all times : in the market-place and the home ; 
in daily duties and in midnight solitude ; in business, in 
pleasure, in study, in conversation, in all our words and 
deeds. May nothing keep us from learning thy truth and 
obeying it. If our right eye offend thee, may we be ready 
to pluck it out, or to cut off our right hand ere it shall do 
wrong. May we help one another, and know and feel that 
it is impious to ask thy help while we do not regard each 
fellow-being as a brother, or while we suffer ourselves by 
wrong-doing to stand as stumbling-blocks in each other's 
way. Amen. 



MAY 1. 



LO, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone ; 
The flowers appear upon the earth, the time of the 
singing of birds is come, and die voice of the turtle is 
heard in our land. 

Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. 
Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the 
light of his cloud to shine ? How thy garments are warm, 
when he quieteth the earth by the south wind ? 

Thou visitest the earth and waterest it ; thou greatly 
enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water : 
thou preparest them corn when thou hast so provided for 
it. Thou waterest the ridp-es thereof abundantlv : thou 
settlest the furrows thereof : thou makest it soft with 
showers : thou blessest the springing thereof. 

The springtide hour brings leaf and flower, 

With songs of life and love ; 
And many a lay wears out the day 

In many a leafy grove. 
Bird, rlower, and tree seem to agree 

Their choicest gifts to bring ; 
But this poor heart bears not its part : 

In it there is no spring. 

Lord, let thy love fresh from above, 

Soft as the south wind blow : 
Call forth its bloom, w^ake its perfume, 

And bid its spices flow ! 
And when thy voice makes earth rejoice, 

And the hills laugh and sing, 
Lord, make this heart to bear its part, 

And join the praise of spring. 

OGOD, the Creator and Preserver of all things, who 
causest the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb 
for the service of man ; who bringest forth fruit out of the 
earth, and dost bless the springing thereof: be pleased 
graciously to look down from thy holy habitation in heaven 
upon us thy people, and upon the land wherein we dwell ; 
that both it may become fruitful and yield its increase, and 
w^e may grow in wisdom and in goodness, bringing forth 
plenteously the fruit of good works, as disciples of him 
who came to sow in us the seeds of eternal life. Amen. 

122 



MAY 2. 



ABEL was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of 
the ground. 

And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought 
of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock 
and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel 
and to his offerins; : 

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. 
And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 

And the Lord said mito Cain, Why art thou wroth ? and 
why is thy countenance fallen? 

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if 
thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. 

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 

Ix its freshness bring the flower 

While the dew upon it lies, 
In the cool and cloudless hour 

Of the morning sacrifice. 

As the first-fruits of the year 

I^Iay be offered to the Lord, 
So the first-fruits of the heart 

On his altar may be poured. 

Thus the blessing from above 
On life's harvest shall be given ; 

Sown perhaps in tears on earth, 
Reaped in joyfulness in heaven. 

O INVISIBLE yet ever-present God, seen with the eye 
of faith by the seers of old, and by all the pure in 
heart : we bend before thee Avith deep and solemn awe. 
Yet we will lift up our hearts in hopeful confidence, for it 
is not a perfect offering, but a sincere one, thou desirest ; 
and our hearts, though weak, are yet full of gratitude and 
love. Accept our sacrifice ; and. trusting thy goodness, 
may we be assured that thou wilt give all needed blessing. 
Humbly and earnestly do we entreat thee to unveil thy 
face to our adoring and loving souls. Teach us what is right 
and true and good in thy most holy sight; and this may 
we seek for faithfully evermore. Amen. 

123 



MAY 3. 



WASH you, make you clean: put away the evil of 
your doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do 
evil : learn to do well ; seek judgment, relieve the op- 
pressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord : 
though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as 
snow j though they be red like crimson, they shall be as 
wool. 

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of 
the land ; but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured 
with the sword : for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. 

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haugh- 
tiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone 
shall be exalted in that day. 



O SINNER ! bring not tears alone, 
Or outward form of prayer ; 

But let it in thy heart be known 
That penitence is there. 

To beat the breast, the clothes to rend, 

God asketh not of thee : 
Thy secret soul he bids thee bend 

In true humility. 

O righteous Judge ! if thou wilt deign 

To grant us what we need, 
We pray for time to turn again, 

And grace to turn indeed. 



HEAVENLY Father, may we ask of thee aright : not ask- 
ing thee for harvests while we will not sow ; for wis- 
dom, while we disdain to study thy truth ; for strength and 
health, while we indulge our appetites ; for happiness, while 
we refuse thy love ; or for heaven, while we neglect to learn 
and obey thy laws. When we ask thy favor, may we re- 
member to do thy will. Thanks to thee for the example 
of perfect purity and goodness in Jesus Christ. May we 
study his character and imitate his excellence. As he 
went about doing good, may we also, in our daily walk, 
give bread to the hungr}/, knowledge to the ignorant, and 
show the way of salvation to those who sit in the region of 
the shadow of death. Amen. 




124 



MAY 4. 



I WILL love thee, O Lord, my strength. 
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliv- 
erer ; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust ; my 
buckler, and my high tower. 

I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised. 
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto 
my God : he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry 
came before him, even into his ears. 

Thy way, not mine, O Lord, 

However dark it be ! 
Lead me by thine own hand ; 

Choose out the path for me. 
Smooth let it be or rough, 

It will be still the best : 
Winding or straight, it leads 

Right onward to thy rest. 

I dare not choose my lot ; 

I would not if I might : 
Choose thou for me, my God ; 

So shal] I walk aright. 
Not mine, not mine, the choice 

In things or great or small : 
Be thou my guide, my strength, 

My wisdom, and my all ! 

ETERNAL and all-seeing God : we, thy creatures, sink 
into nothing before thy supreme majesty; we feel 
our weakness; we acknowledge our folly; we repeatedly 
bewail our sins ; thee only we adore with awful veneration ; 
thee we thank with fervent zeal ; to thy power we 
humbly submit; of thy goodness we devoutly implore pro- 
tection ; on thy wisdom we firmly and cheerfully rely. 
Whenever we address thee, O Father, if our prayers are 
unwise, wilt thou pity us ? if they are presumptuous, wilt 
thou pardon us? if acceptable to thee, grant them, all 
pow^erful God : and as we now express submission to thy 
decrees, adore thy providence, and bless thy dispensations ; 
so, in that future state to which we reverently hope thy 
goodness will raise us, may we continue praising, venerat- 
ing, and worshipping thee, more and more, through worlds 
without number and ages without end. Amen. 

I2S 



MAY 5. 



^ I ^HOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of an- 
J. gels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding 
brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and under- 
stand all mysteries, and all knowledge ; and though I have 
all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not 
charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods 
to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, 
and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 

Charity suffereth long, and is kind ; charity envieth not ; 
charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up ; 

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is 
not easily provoked, thinketh no evil ; 

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth ; 

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, 
endureth all things. 

Mighty Spirit, gracious Guide ! 

Let thy light in us abide, 
Chiefest gift at Whitsuntide, — 
Holy, heavenly Love. 

Faith, that mountains could remove, 
Tongues of earth and heaven above, 
Knowledge, — all things, — - empty prove, 
Without heavenly Love. 

Though I as a martyr bleed, 
Give my goods the poor to feed, 
All is vain, if love I need : 
Therefore give me Love. 

Love is kind, and suffers long ; 
Love is meek, and thinks no wrong ; 
Love than death more strong : 
Therefore, give us love. 

OTHOU Father of our spirits, who art always more 
ready to hear than we to pray : often in the midst 
of our daily business may we lift up our hearts to thee ; 
and grant, we humbly beseech thee, that those whom thou 
dost refresh with thy presence; may, by a life well-pleasing 
to thee, show their love and gratitude, as faithful disciples 
of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

126 



MAY 6. 



CHARITY never faileth : but whether there be proph- 
ecies, they shall fail ; whether there be tongues, they 
shall cease j whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish 
away. 

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 

But when that Avhich is perfect is come, then that which 
is in part shall be done away. 

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as 
a child, I thought as a child : but when I became a nian, I 
put away childish things. 

For now we see through a glass, darkly ; but then face 
to face : now I know in part j but then shall I know even 
as also I am known. 

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three ; but 
the greatest of these is charity. 

Prophecy will fade away, 
Melting in the light of day ; 
Love will ever with us stay, 
Therefore, give us Love. 

Faith will vanish into sight ; 
Hope be emptied in delight ; 
Love in heaven will shine more bright, 
Therefore, give us Love. 

Faith and Hope and Love we see 
Joining hand in hand agree ; 
But the greatest of the three, 
And the best, is Love. 

ALMIGHTY and ever-living God, the Father of our 
spirits, who delightest to do us good : strengthen, 
we beseech thee, us thy servants in all holy purpose ; daily 
increase in us thy manifold gifts of grace, — the spirit of 
wisdom and understanding, .the spirit of counsel and in- 
ward strength, the spirit of knowledge and true godliness, 
the spirit of faith and hope and charity. Grant this, O 
blessed God, through thy love to us shown in Jesus Christ. 
Amen, 



127 



MAY 7. 



I WILL be as the dew to Israel ; * 
He shall bloom as the lily, 
And strike his roots like Lebanon. 
His branches shall spread, 
And his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, 
And his fragrance as Lebanon. 

They that dwell under his shadow shall gather strength, 

They shall revive as the corn : 

Thev shall shoot forth as the vine : 

Their name shall be like the wine of Lebanon. 

I will be like a green cypress-tree, 

From me shall thy fruit be found. 

Who is wise, that he may understand these things; 

Prudent, that he may know them 

For the ways of Jehovah are right/ 

And the righteous walk in them ; 

But in them transgressors stumble. 

Earth vv-ith her thousand voices sings 

Her song of gladsome praise ; 
And every blade of grass that springs 

God's loving law obeys. 

The wind-flower and the violet fair 

Reflect the morning sky ; 
The birds make music in the air ; 

The brook goes singing by. 

Like this spring morning, sweet and clear. 

That greets our opening eyes, 
The spring of heaven's eternal year 

Shall brins^ new earth and skies. 

GRANT us, O Father, the refreshing dews of thy 
grace. May our hearts be joyful in thy love, and 
offer thee the grateful tribute of faidiful lives. Thou, 0 
Lord, art our strength, our refuge, and only deliverer. 
Teach our tongues lit words to call upon thee. Open 
within us the fountains of prayer and holy meditation j 
reveal to us thy truth ; quicken us by thy Spirit ; love us 
with the love thou bearest to thy children. Thou hast 
given us thy best-beloved Son ; with him give us, we be- 
seech thee, all other things that are needful for us. Amen. 

12S 



MAY 8. 



WHILE he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother 
and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak 
with him. Then one said mito him, Behold, thy mother 
and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 

But he answered and said unto "him that told him, Who 
is my mother ? and who are my brethren ? 

And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, 
and said, Behold my mother and my brethren ! 

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is 
»n heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. 

Father ! we look up to tliee ; 
Let us in thy love agree : 
Thou, who art the God of peace, 
Bid contention ever cease. 

Make us of one heart and mind ; 
Self-forgetful, true and kind ; 
Strong, 3-et meek in thought and word, 
Like thy Son, our blessed Lord. 

Let us for each other care, 

Each the other^s burden bear ; 

Ready, when reviled, to bless ; * 

Studious of the law of peace. 

HEAVENLY Father, we thank thee for the gift of 
Jesus Christ, thy best-beloved Son, who in this 
world's darkness has gone before men, his life like a 
pillar of fire leading them to the better land. We thank 
thee for his words, so lustrous with truth ; for his life, fra- 
grant all through with piety and love ; yea, and for that 
triumphant death in which his spirit could not be holden 
of mortality. We thank thee for the triumphs which at- 
tend the name of Jesus ; for the dear blessedness his life 
has bestowed upon us, softening the pillow of distress, and 
brightening the way whereon truth comes down from thee, 
and life to thee ever aspires. ' Father, we thank thee for 
all the blessing Jesus has widely scattered through the 
world; and most of all that he has revealed to us thine 
own divinit}' enlivening this mortal, human clod, and proph- 
esying such noble future of achievement here on earth and 
in thine own kingdom of heaven. Amen. 
I 129 . 



MAY 9. 



JESUS said, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it 
is that saith to thee, Give me to drink ; thou would- 
est have asked of him, and he would have given thee Hving 
water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing 
to draw with, and the well is deep : from whence, then, hast 
thou that living water ? Art thou greater than our father 
Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, 
and his children, and his cattle ? Jesus answered and 
said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst 
again : But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall 
give him shall never thirst : but the water that I shall give 
him shall be in him a well of water springing up into ever- 
lasting life. The woman saith unto him. Sir, give me this 
water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. 

O Lord, lift up thy countenance 

Upon thy children ; own us thine ; 

Impart to us thy peace divine ; 
Thy blessing unto all dispense. 

Thy mercy is onr only stay : 

Direct us by thy holy word ; 

Thy Spirit's light to us afford ; 
Preserve us lest we go astray. 

O well of life ! we pant for thee ; 
In copious streams thy thirsty flock 
Desire to drink from thee, the Rock, 

And thirst no more eternally. 

OTHOU Fountain of living waters, in our thirst may 
we come to thee and find refreshment. In our weari- 
ness may we find rest in thee, the source of all comfort 
and strength. O God, who art the author of peace and 
lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eter- 
nal life, whose service is perfect freedom: grant us, thy ^ 
servants, we humbly beseech thee, that peace which the 
world can neither give nor take away ; that we, who in all 
our dangers rely on thy goodness, may under thy Fatherly 
protection be defended against all adversities, and ever- 
more rejoice in thy blessed service, through our Lord 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 

130 



MAY 10. 



HE sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of 
many waters. 

He brought me forth into a large place : he delivered 
me, because he loved me. 

To the merciful thou showest thyself merciful ; to an 
upright man thou showest thyself upright ; 

To the pure thou showest thyself pure ; and to the 
wrathful thou showest thyself wrathful. 

The ways of God are just and true, his word is pure, 
tried in the fire : he is a buckler to all those that trust in 
him. 

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my 
way plain. 

Father, I know that all my life 

Is portioned out for me, 
And the changes that are sure to come 

I do not fear to see ; 
• But I ask thee for a present mind 
Intent on pleasing thee. 

I would not have the restless will 

That hurries to and fro, 
Seeking for some great thing to do, 

Or secret thing to know ; 
I wolild be treated as a child 

And guided where I go. 

OGOD, thy loving-kindness is better than life. Thy 
presence is the comfort and support of our souls. 
The thought of evil hides thy pure presence and becomes 
a cloud between us ; when we remember our sins, we can 
no longer look up to thee. Blot our transgressions with 
thy love ; uphold our souls by thy holiness. Behold we 
come unto thee, saying. Father, we have sinned against 
thee, and are no more worthy to be called thy children. 
Oh ! strengthen and comfort us with the assurance that thy 
forgiveness and blessing are ever ready for those who truly 
repent and forsake their evil ways. May thy welcoming 
arms be open to receive us again to thy home of peace 
and purity ; and from it may we never stray again. Amen. 



MAY 11. 



FOR the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every- 
one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one 
that is lifted up ; and he shall be brought low : 

And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the 
haughtiness of men shall be made low : and the Lord alone 
shall be exalted in that day. 

And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into 
the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the 
glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the 
earth. 

In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his 
idols of gold, which he hath made for himself to worship, 
to the moles and to the bats ; 

To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of 
the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory 
of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 

There are briers besetting every path, 

That call for patient care ; 
There is a cross in every lot, 

And an earnest need for prayer ; 
But a lowly heart that leans on thee 

Is happy anywhere. 

In a service which thy will appoints 

There are no bonds for me : 
For my inmost heart is taught "the truth" 

That makes thy children "free ; " 
And a life of self -renouncing love 

Is a life of liberty. 

O FATHER, send down thy Spirit like a ray of light 
upon our path, and deliver us from evil. Keep our 
feet from falling, our eyes from tears, and our souls from 
death. In the midst of health may we remember tliee, our 
Witness and Judge, and use every blessing as a sacred gift. 
In the darkness as well as in the light, may we trace the 
working of thy power, and consider that the same Being, 
the Lord gracious and merciful, gives and takes awayj 
and still may we bless thy name. Amen. 



132 



MAY 12. 



THEREFORE be ye also ready: for in such an houi 
as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord 
hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in 
due season ? 

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh 
shall find so doing. 

Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler 
over all his goods. 

Ye servants of the Lord ! 

Each in your office wait, 
Observant of his heavenly word, 

And watchful at his gate. 
Let all your lamps be bright, 

And trim the golden flame : 
Gird up your loins, as in his sight j 

For holy is his nam.e. 

Watch ! ^tis your Lord's command | 

And while we speak, he's near : 
Mark the first signal of his hand, 

And ready all appear. 
O happy servant he 

In such a posture found ! 
He shall his Lord with rapture see, 

And be with honor crowned. 

OTHOU who makest the outgoings of the morning 
and of the evening to rejoice, and fillest the day 
v/ith. good : may thy gracious favor attend us this day and 
make it wholly thine. Every night we sleep under the 
shadow of thy protecting care. Day by day thou dost 
spread the table of thy bounty, and dost invite us to come 
and be fed. Day and night thy good Spirit ceaselessly 
calls us to leave the lov/ places of sense and sin, to come 
up higher and enjoy the felicity of divine things. Oh, may 
we hear and heed the call of thy Spirit, and become co- 
workers with thee in the advancement of thy great pur- 
poses of good ! Working with God and for him, our lives 
can know no real failure, but all things shall contribute 
to our soul's true success. So shall thy kingdom com.e 
and thy will be done. Amen. 

133 



MAY 13. 



THE heavens declare the glory of God ; and the firma 
ment showeth the work of his hands. 
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night 
showeth knowledge. 

There is no sound nor - language, and their voice is not 
heard. 

Yet their speech is gone out through all the earth, and 
their words to the end of the world. There hath he set 
a tabernacle for the sun. 

He goeth forth from one end of the heaven, and his cir- 
cuit is to the other end of it : and there is nothing hid 
from the heat thereof. 

The law of the Lord is perfect, giving life unto the soul : 
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: 
the cor^mandment of the Lord is pure^ enlightening the 
eyes. 

O BLEST Creator of the light ! 

Who dost the dawn from darkness bring, 
And framing nature's depth and height, 

Didst with the new-born light begin : 

Keep thou our souls from schemes of crime ; 

Nor guilt remorseful let them know ; 
Nor, thinking but on things of time, 

Into eternal darkness go. 

Teach us to knock at heaven's high door ; 

Teach us the prize of life to win ; 
Teach us all evil to abhor, 

And purify ourselves within. 

WE bless thee, O God, for life and all that makes life 
dear to us ; for health and strength, for hearing and 
sight, for foofi and raiment, for thy daily bounty and per- 
petual protection ; for the friends near and dear, and for 
the loved ones who have passed from mortal sight ; for 
the affections which survive the changes of death and the 
grave j for the excellent lives and inspiring examples of 
the good and true ; for all thine own mercies that never fail. 
Day by day may we grow more worthy of thy loving-kind- 
ness, and show thee our gratitude by lives devoted to thy 
service. Amen. 

134 



MAY 14, 



THE fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever : the 
judgments of the Lord are true and righteous alto- 
gether. 

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much 
fine gold : sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 

Moreover by them is thy servant warned : and in keep- 
ing of them there is great rcAvard. 

Who can understand his errors ? cleanse thou me from 
secret faults. 

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins ; 
let them not have dominion over me : then shall I be up- 
right, and I shall be innocent from great transgression. 

Let the w^ords of my mouth, and the meditation of my 
heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and 
my redeemer. 

May I resolve with all my heart, 

With all my powers, to serve the Lord ; 

Nor from his precepts e'er depart, 
\Yho3e service is a rich reward. 

Oh, may I never faint nor tire, 

Nor, wandering, leave his sacred ways : 

Great God, accept my soul's desire, 
And give me strength to live thy praise. 

O FATHER of compassion, and fountain of all good- 
ness : we heartily thank thee for all thy bountiful 
gifts to us and to all men ; w^e thank thee for our life, and 
all its blessings of health, strength, or prosperity ; but 
more for all its charities and affections, and all its means of 
doing good in our home, or to our friends, or persons wdio 
trust us or depend upon us ; above all, for thy grace and 
truth, and for our hopes of things eternal. Increase, O 
Lord, this knowledge, and multiply thy grace upon us, 
that no ignorance or sin may pervert thy blessings ; but 
give us such a sense of thy goodness that we may ever devote 
ourselves to thy service in word and deed ; and, praising 
thee both with our lips and our lives, go on through thy 
mercy to the joy of everlasting life. Amen. 



135 



MAY 15. 



AND he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my 
cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am 
baptized with : but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, 
is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom 
it is prepared of my Father. 

Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the 
princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and 
they that are great exercise authority upon them. 

But it shall not be so among you : but whosoever will 
be great among you, let him be your minister ; and who- 
soever will be chief among you, let him be your servant : 
even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, 
but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 

The cross of the Saviour his followers bear ; 
They drink of his cup, and his baptism share : 
Tribulation in life is the lot of the best ; 
In Jesus is peace, in the Lord there is rest. 

Ah ! sensitive spirit, in life think thou not 
To shun what on earth is humanity^s lot : 
By sorrow made perfect, by suffering blest, 
The Lord is thy trust, and the Lord is thy rest. 

ENABLE us, O Lord, to drink whatever cup thou shalt 
appoint for us, in the spirit of him who came not to 
be ministered unto, but to minister. Give us grace to em- 
ploy the gifts of thy bounty to thy glory ; neither squan- 
dering them in riot and luxury, nor hoarding them for 
sordid gain : but grant that with heartfelt thankfulness to 
thee, the Giver of all good, we may use them with tem- 
perance for the supply of our own w^ants, and dispense 
them with liberality for the relief and comfort of the poor. 
Make us ever mindful that a man's, life consisteth not in 
the abundance of the things which he possesseth, and that 
he liveth not by bread alone, but by every word that pro- 
ceedeth out of thy mouth : and so, while we pray daily 
unto thee, as thou hast permitted us, for the perishable 
meat of this present w^orld, may we cease not to labor 
more earnestly for that living bread which thou hast given 
us by thy Son Jesus Christ. Amen. 



MAY 16. 



HE that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, 
is not worthy of me. 
He that findeth his life shall lose it : and he that loseth 
his life for my sake shall find it. 

He that receiveth you receiveth me ^ and he that re- 
ceive th me receiveth him that sent me. 

He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet 
shall receive a prophet's reward ; and he that receiveth a 
riditeous man in the name of a rio;hteous man shall receive 
a righteous man's reward. 

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these 
little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disci- 
ple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no vvise lose his re- 
ward. 

AYherever in the world I am, 

In whatsoe'er estate, 
I have a fellowship with hearts 

To keep and cultivate, 
And a work of lowly love to do 

For the Lord on whom I wait. 

So I ask thee for the daily strength 

To none that ask denied ; 
And a mind to blend with outward life, 

AYhile keeping at thy side : 
Content to fill a little space 

If thou be glorified. 

OTHOU, in whom we live and move and have our be- 
ins;: we thank thee for thv Fatherlv care from the 
beginning of our life to the present moment. Sustained 
in life and health by thy great mercy, we here dedicate to 
thee our souls and bodies in a sober, righteous, and godly 
life. In this resolution, do thou, O Lord, strengthen us ; 
and, as we grow in age, may we grow in grace and spiritual 
stature. Thou knowest our weakness and daily tempta- 
tions : we implore the aid of thy Spirit. Keep us temper- 
ate ; make us diligent ; grant us patience ; hold us upright j 
aid us to be peaceable and kind, full of compassion, ready 
to do good unto all. Direct us in all our ways, and pros- 
per the vs-ork of our hands, and keep us ever in thy loving 
care. Amen. 

137 



MAY 17, 



JESUS taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and 
bringeth them up into a high mountain apart, and was 
transfigured before them : and his face did shine as the 
sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, 
there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 
Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good 
for us to be here : if thou wilt, let us make here three taber- 
nacles ; one for thee, and one for ]\Ioses, and one for Elias. 
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed 
them : and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said. This 
is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased ; hear ye 
him. 

O BRIGHT ideals ! how ve shine 

Aloft in realms of air I 
Ye pour your streams of light divine 

Above our low despair. 
I've climbed and climbed these weary years 

To come your glories nigh ; 
I'm tired of climbing, and in tears 

Here on the earth I lie. 

Ah ! this one thought of hope and trust 

Comes with its soothing balm, 
As here I lav my brow in dust, 

And breathe my- lowly psalm, — 
That not for heights of victory won, 

But those I tried to gain, 
^Yill come my gracious Lord's well done " 

And sweet effacing rain. 

OTHOU infinite Spirit, v;ho art ever calling us to come 
up into the mountain of holiness : may we hear thy 
call and heed it j leaving the low places of sense and sin, 
•may we follow in the footsteps of him in whose love and 
faithfulness thou wert well pleased. O God of light, 
Father of life, Author of grace, who givest, to those who 
are poor in spirit and put their trust in thee, a knowledge 
of such things as the very angels desire to look into ; who 
hast brought us out of darkness into light, from death to 
life, from bondage into liberty : even now, O Lord, do thou 
enlighten our understandings by thy Ploly Spirit, and 
thoroughly sanctify us in body and in soul, through thy be- 
loved Son. Amen. 

138 



MAY 18. 



HEAR, O heavens, and give ear, O earth : for the Lord 
hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up 
children, and they have rebelled against me. 

To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto 
me ? saith the Lord : I am full of the burnt-offerings of 
rams, and the fat of fed beasts ; and I delight not in the 
blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats. 

When ye come to appear before me, who hath required 
this at your hand, to tread my courts ? 

Bring no more vain oblations : incense is an abomination 
unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of 
assemblies, I cannot away with ; it is iniquity, even the 
solemn meeting. 

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul 
hateth they are a trouble unto me ; I am weary to bear 
them. 

Oh ! like the sun may- 1 fulfil 

The appointed duties of the day ; 
With ready mind and active will 

March on, and keep my heavenly way. 

Lord, thy commands are clean and pure, 

Enlightening our beclouded eyes ; 
Thy threatenings just, thy promise sure, 

Thy gospel makes the simple wise. 

INFINITE Source of all that is true : in learning the 
truth we learn thy thoughts and become acquainted 
.with thee. May we seek for truth as for hidden and 
precious treasure. When truth seeks us and knocks at 
the door of our souls, may no indifference or prejudice 
forbid its entrance j but, as an angel visitant, may it find 
welcome. Gladly would we hail every message from 
heaven, however severe the toil or costly the sacrifice to 
which it calls us. To thy messengers, whether of joy or 
grief, of life or death, we would lend attentive ear. And 
to the heavenly visions thou showest us, may we never 
prove disobedient. Keep us this day without sin ; may 
its passing hours render us more worthy of thy love. And 
may the time speedily come when thy glory shall fill the 
wond as the waters fill the sea. Amen. 



139 



MAY 19, 



I DESIRED mercy, and not sacrifice : and the knowl 
edge of God more than burnt offerings. 
^They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirl- 
wind. 

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy : 
break up your fallow ground ; for it is time to seek the 
Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. 

He shall come unto, us as the rain, as the latter and 
former rain unto the earth. 

O Judah, what shall I do unto thee ? For your good- 
ness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth 
away. 

O Lord, remember me and visit me. 

Wilt Thou not visit me ? 
The plant beside me feels thy gentle dew ; 

Each blade grass I see 
From thy deep earth its quickening moisture drew. 

Wilt thou not visit me ? 
Thy morning calls on me with cheering tone ; 

And every hill and tree 
Lend but one voice, the voice of thee alone. 

Come ! for I need thy love 
More than the flower the dew, or grass the rain ; 

Come, like thy holy dove, 
And let me in thy sight rejoice to live again. 

Yes ! Thou wilt visit me ; 
Nor plant nor tree thine eye delights so well, 

As when, from sin set free, 
Man's spirit comes with thine in peace to dwell. 

GRACIOUS God and Father, we thank thee for all the 
blessings we have received from thy bountiful hand ; 
and also for the bitter experiences which thou hast turned 
to sweetness. We adore thy holy Providence which ob- 
serves the least things, numbering the hairs of our heads, 
and watching over the raven and the sparrow. Trust- 
ful and grateful, we give ourselves up to thy Fatherly keep- 
ing and guidance ; and would pray, as thy beloved Son 
hath taught us, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also 
on earth. Amen. 

140 



MAY 20. 



THEN spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his dis- 
ciples, 

Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses'' seat : 

All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that 
observe and do ; but do not ye after their works : for they 
say, and do not. 

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, 
and lay them on men's shoulders ; but they themselves will 
not move them with one of their fingers. 

But all their works they do for to be seen of men : they 
make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders 
of their garments. 

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief 
seats in the synagogues. 

And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, 
Rabbi, Rabbi! 

But be not ye called Rabbi : for one is your Master, 
even Christ ; and all ye are brethren. 

Despise not little sins ; for mountain high may btand 
The piled heap made up of little grains of sand. 

Despise not little sins : the gallant ship may sink 
Though only drop by drop the watery tide it drink. 

Sin not till it is left will duly sinful seem : 

A man must waken first, ere he can tell his dream. 

Sin may be clasped so close we cannot see its face ; 
Nor seen nor loathed, until held from us a small space. 

OGOD, the Father of mercies : we desire to forsake all 
our evil ways, and to return unto thee, with our 
whole hearts. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us, and grant 
us thy salvation. Lead us by thy gracious hand in the 
path of duty; and, in time of temptation, let thy good Spirit 
be with us, to keep us from falling. May our hearts be 
purified from all sinful affections ; may falsehood and 
deceit have no place in our words ; may we do justly, love 
mercy, and walk humbly with thee : that, being holy in thy 
sight, we may obtain thy favor, and be received into thine 
everlasting kingdom. Amen. 




141 



MAY 21. 



NOW when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon 
the leper, ther.e came unto him a woman having an 
alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on 
his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, 
they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this 
waste ? For this ointment might have be^n sold for much, 
and given to the poor. 

When Jesus understood it. he said unto them. Why 
trouble ye the woman ? for she hath wrought a good work 
upon me. For ye have the poor always with you ; but me 
ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this oint- 
ment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say 
unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in 
the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath 
done, be told for a niemorial of her. 

'Tis not the gift, but 'tis the spirit 

With which 'tis given 
That on the gift confers a merit, 

As seen by Heaven. 

'Tis not the deeds the loudest lauded 

That brightest shine ; 
There's many a virtue unapplauded, 

And yet divine. 

The outward show may be delusive, — 

A cheating name ; 
The inner spirit is conclusive 

Of worth or shame. 

OLORD, who hast taught us that all our doings with- 
out charity are nothing worth : send thy Holy Spirit, 
and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, 
the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which 
v\^hosoever liveth is counted dead before thee. O God, our 
heavenly Father, Avho in thy Son Jesus Christ hast given 
us a perfect pattern of holy living : grant, we beseech thee, 
that as he was tempted and yet without sin, so by thy 
Fatherly help and blessing we may be enabled to resist 
and overcome the sins which do most easily beset us, and 
may finish our course with joy. Amen. 



142 



MAY 22. 



EXx\MINE me, O Lord, and prove me : try my thoughts 
and my heart. 

For thy loving-kindness is before mine eyes : and I walk 
in thy truth. 

I will wash mine hands in innocency : so will I go to 
thine altar, O Lord : 

To utter the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy 
w^ondrous works. 

I will walk in mine integrity : redeem me, and be merci- 
ful unto me. 

The mighty God, even the Lord, speaks, and calls the 
earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down 
thereof. 

Blest be thy love, dear Lord, 

That taught us this sweet way, 
Only to love thee for thyself, 

And for that love obey. 

Whether we sleep or wake, 

To thee we both resign ; 
By night we see, as well as day, 

If thy light on us shine. 

Whether we live or die, 

Both we submit to thee ; 
In death we live as well as life. 

If thine in death we be. 

OGOD, who knowest us to be set in so many and great 
dangers, that by reason of our frailty we often fail : 
grant -to us such strength and protection as may support 
us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations. O 
thou who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections 
of sinful men : grant unto thy people that they may love the 
thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou 
dost promise ; that so, among the manifold changes of the 
world, our hearts may be fixed where true jo3^s are to be 
found. Author of all things beautiful and good, our souls 
rejoice in thine infinite loving-kindness. May we know 
that the whole world is thy temple. In it may we dwell 
as true worshippers, and our lives show forth thy praise. 
Amen. 



143 



MAY 23. 



A SOWER went forth to sow ; 
And whtn he sowed, some seeds fell by the way 
side, and the fowls came and devoured them up : 

Some fell upon ston}^ places, where the}" had not much 
earth : and forthwith they sprang up, because they had no 
deepness of earth : 

And when the sun was up, they were scorched ; and 
because they had no root, they withered away. 

And some fell among thorns ; and the thorns sprang up, 
and choked them : 

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, 
some a hundredfold, some sixt}'fold, some thirtyfold. 



Sow in the morn thy seed, 

At eve hold not thy hand ; 
To doubt and fear give thou no heed, 

Broadcast it o'er the land ! 

Beside all waters sow, 

The highway furrows stock, 
Drop it where thorns and thistles grow, 

Drop it upon the rock ! 

The good, the fruitful ground 

Expect not here nor there : 
O'er hill and dale and plain tis found, 

Go forth, then, eveiywhere I 

And duly shall appear. 

In verdure, beauty, strength. 
The tender blade, the stalk, the ear, 

And the full corn at length. 



'ATHER, may the precious seed of thy truth be sown 



X in the good gi'ound of our obedient hearts, and bear 
fruit an hundredfold unto everlasting life. O almight}^ 
and most merciful Father, in thy goodness regard our 
prayers, and free our hearts from the disturbance of all 
perverse and evil thoughts, that we may become a fit abode 
for thy Holy Spirit. O God, our heavenly Father, of whose 
only gift it cometh, that thy faithful people do unto thee 
true and laudable service : grant, w^e beseech thee, that we 
may so faithfully sei-ve thee in this life, that w^e fail not to 
attain the heavenly inheritance which thou hast set before 
us by thy Son Jesus Christ. Amen. 




144 



MAY 24. 



HEAR ye therefore the parable of the sov/er. 
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, 
and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and 
catcheth away that wdiich was sown in his heart. This is 
he which received seed by the way side. 

But he that received the seed into ston}^ places, the same 
is he that heareth the w^ord, and anon with joy receiveth it ; 

Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while : 
for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the 
word, by and by he is offended. 

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that 
heareth the word ; and the care of this w^orld, and the 
deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh 
unfruitful. 

But he that received seed into the good ground is he 
that heareth the word, and understandeth it ; which also 
beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some 
sixty, some thirty. . 

O God, by whom the seed is given, 

By whom the harvest blest ; 
Whose v.'ord, like manna showered from heaven, 

Is planted m our breast : 

Preserve it from the passing feet, 

And plunderers of the air, 
The sultry sun's intenser heat, 

And weeds of worldly care ! 

Though buried deep, or thinly strewn, 

Do thou thy grace supply ; 
The hope in earthly furrows sown 

Shall ripen in the sky. 

MERCIFUL Father, help us, thy. children, to w^elcome 
into our souls the seed of thy Avord. May no 
worldly care or temptation choke it so that it perish. But 
by the gracious influences of thy Holy Spirit may our hearts 
be fruitful of righteousness. Plant in them the principles 
of all holy living ; and may our lives bear fruit as the 
garden of our God. Amen. 



J 



US 



MAY 25. 



A XD Jacob vrent out from Beer-sheba. and went toward 
-i. jL Haran. 

And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there 
all night, because the sun was set ; and he took of the 
stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay 
down in that place to slecD. 

And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the 
earth, and the top of it reached to heaven : and behold the 
ano;els of God ascending' and descendino; on it. 

Though. like the wanderer, 

The sun gone down, 
Darkness be over me, 

My rest a stone ; 
Yet in my dreams I'd be 
Nearer, my God, to thee, — 

Nearer to thee I 

There let the way appear, 

Steps unto heaven ; 
All that thou sendest me, 

In mercv given ; 
Ar.ge's ro beckon me 
Ncj-rer, my God. to thee, — 

Nearer to thee ! 

OGOD. we gather and bend before thee in this good 
home, where we dwell in peace and in plenty. The 
power to make and to sustain this home is from thee. Deep- 
en, we beseech thee, our sense of thy great bounty : help 
U5 to see why we are so blessed. May vre know that these 
good things are given for great and generous uses. Oh 
grant that thy Spirit may touch us, so that we may gladly 
odve of our bread to them that hun2:er. May w'e know that * 
in all STuises thine an2:els come to us. and srrow radiant onlv 
after they are gone. ]\Iay the fiTiits of pure living make 
this dwellins; to all what thou hast made it to us, — the 
house of God and the very gate of heaven. Then, being 
faithful in our few things, may we know that thou hast said. 
Well done, and enter into thy joy. Amen. 



146 



MAY 26. 

AND Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took 
the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set 
it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. 

And he called the name of that place Beth-el : but the 
name of that city was called Luz at the first. 

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with 
me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give 
me bread to eat, and raiment to put on. 

So that I come again to my father's house in peace j 
then shall the Lord be my God : 

And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be 
God's house : and of all that thou shalt give me I will 
surely give the tenth unto thee. 

Then with my waking thoughts, 

Bright with thy praise, 
Out of my stony griefs, 

Bethel I'll raise ; 
So by my woes to be 
Nearer, my God, to thee, — 

Nearer to thee ! 

Or, if on joyful wing 

Cleaving the sky, 
Sun, moon, and stars forgot. 

Upward I fly ; 
Still all my song shall be, — 
Nearer, my God, to thee, 

Nearer to thee ! 

THINE angels, O Lord, encamp round about us in the 
night season, and thou hast given them charge con- 
cerning us to defend us from all evil. So may we live 
that every place shall be to us as the house of God and 
the gate of heaven ; and every event, even though it be a 
cross, bring us nearer to thee. Open wide our hearts to 
all holy influences. Open heaven to the eye of our souls, 
and may our prayers and thy blessings be like angels 
ascending and descending ; and be this day blessed among 
our days on earth, a season of refreshing to our spirits, 
a day of the Lord, spent in thine intimate presence and 
preparing us for thine everlasting service. Amen. 

147 



MAY 27. 



AND it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour 
out my Spirit upon all flesh ; and your sons and 
your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream 
dreams, your young men shall see visions : 

And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in 
those days will I pour out my Spirit. 

Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is 
right ? 

Prove all things ; hold fast that which is good. 
Be not faithless, but believing. 

We may not think our fathers' thought, 

Their creeds our lips may alter ; 
But in the faith they dearly bought, 
Our hearts shall never falter. 

'Twas faith in man, 'twas faith in God, 
'Twas faith in truth and beauty, 
In freedom's might, and reason's right, 
And all controlling duty. 

Oh, may that faith our hearts inspire 

To earnest thought and labor ! 
That we may share its heavenly fire 
With every friend and neighbor. 
'Tis faith in man, 'tis faith in God, 
'Tis faith in truth and beauty, 
In freedom's might, and reason's right, 
And all controlling duty. 

WE believe, O Lord ; help thou our unbelief. Strength- 
en our faith, by the grace of thy Holy Spirit. May 
we live as seeing thee, the invisible ; and so lay hold on 
things eternal that they shall become realities sure and 
satisfying. Give us more faith in man our brother, in our 
own high vocation, in the blessedness of true life. Grant 
us to be strengthened with might in the inner man, not to 
be drawn astray by false desires, but wisely to choose be- 
tween things temporal and eternal. O Lord, grant us 
heavenly wisdom, that we may learn above all things to 
love and delight in thee. Thou art the true peace of the 
heart, thou its only rest. Teach us, O Lord, to do thy 
will j teach us to live as true children of God evermore. 
Amen. 

148 



MAY 28. 



THE Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all 
those that be bowed down. 
The eyes of all wait upon thee ; and thou givest them 
their meat in due season. 

Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of 
every living thing. 

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to 
all that call upon him in truth. 

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him : he also 
will hear their cry, and will save them. 

Ask, and ye shall receive: seek, and ye shall find. 

There are deep things of God : push out from shore. 
Hast thou found much ? Give thanks, and look for more. 
Dost fear the generous Giver to offend ? 
Then think his store and bounty know no end. 
He needeth not to be implored or teased : 
The more we take, the better is pleased. 

What service can we render thee, kind Heaven, 
But freely take what is so freely given ? 
Thy best of gifts is wit to keep the cup 
Wherein thou pourest blessing right side up. 
Dwell thou within us, Lord of charity ! 
And we from thee shall endless givers be. 

OTHOU infinite One, we reverence Thee, \vho art 
the permanent in things that change, the foundation 
of all that endures, the loveliness of things beautiful, and 
the wisdom and the justice and the love which make and 
bless and hold all this world of matter and of men. Fa- 
ther, we thank thee for the happiness that crowns our 
days, for the success that attends our efforts here on earth ; 
the brightness that gathers in our home, the hearts whose 
beating is music round our fireside, and whose sympathy is 
a blessing on our daily bread. For all things wherein our 
hearts rejoice we thank thee. • We remember also the sor- 
rows that fill our eyes with tears and our hearts with sad- 
ness. If we cannot thank thee for suffering, we thank 
thee that we know thou dost pity us, and dost order all for 
our good. Amen. 

149 



MAY 29. 



HEAR the right. O Lord ; attend unto my cry, give ear 
unto my prayer, that goeth not out of false lips. 
Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let 
thine eyes see what is right. 

Prove my heart ; visit me in the night ; try me, my 
thoughts shall not vary from my speech. 

Show thy loving-kindness, O thou that savest by thy 
right hand them which put their trust in thee. 

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the 
shadow of thy wings. 

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness : I shall 
be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. 

True Sun ! upon our souls arise, 

Shining in beauty evermore ; 
And through each sense the quickening beam 

Of the eternal Spirit pour. 

Rule thou our inmost thoughts ; let no 

Impurity our hearts defile ; 
Grant us a true and fervent faith ; 

Grant us a spirit free from guile. 

OGOD, our everlasting hope, who boldest us in life, 
and orderest our lot : we ask not for any prosperity 
that would tempt us to forget thee. As disciples of one 
who had not where to lay his head, may we freely welcome 
the toils and sufferings of our humanity, and seek onty 
strength to glorify the cross thou layest on us. Every work 
of our hand may we do as unto thee; in every trouble 
trace some lights of thine ; and let no blessing fall on dry 
and thankless hearts. Redeeming the time, may we fill 
every waking hour with faithful duty and well-ordered af- 
fections, as the sacrifice which thou hast provided. Strip 
us, O Lord, of every proud thought ; fill us with patient 
tenderness for others, seeing that we also are in the same 
case before thee ; and make us ready to help, and quick 
to forgive,. And then, fix every grace, compose every fear, 
by a steady trust in thine eternal realities, behind the 
changes of time and the delusions of men. Thou art our 
Rock : we rest on thee. Amen. 

ISO 



MAY 30. 




RAISE waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion : and unto 
thee shall the vow be performed. 



Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to 
approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts : we 
shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of 
thy holy temple. 

Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening 
to rejoice. 

Thou visitest the earth, and w^aterest it : thou greatly 
enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water : 
thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided 
for it. 

Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou set- 
tles t the furrows thereof : thou makest it soft with showers : 
thou blessest the springing thereof. 



Hark, my soul, how every thing 
Strives to serve our bounteous King : 
Each a double tribute pays, 
Sings its part, and then obeys. 

Wake, for shame, my sluggish heait, 
Wake, and gladly sing thy part ; 
Learn of birds and springs and flowers 
How to use thy nobler powers. 



E thank thee, O Father, for this day so SAveet and 



V V fair, when the trees lift up their hands in praise, 
and every flower offers its incense, and every wandering bird 
sings its song of gratitude. We thank thee for the new life 
that fills the world, and for the perpetual spring-time with 
which thou sendest joy and new life into the souls of men. 
W^e thank thee for the justice that faints not nor is weary, 
for the truth wdiich never fails, for the love that is sight to 
the blind and feet to the lame, that heals the sick, comforts 
the sorrowing, lifts up the fallen, and goes forth to seek and 
save the lost and bring the wanderer home ; for the faith 
that springs afresh in human hearts : for the pitty that has 
blessed mankind and made the world better ; for the peace 
that smooths the pathway for our weary feet ; and for the 
prophecy of glories yet to come. Amen. 




MAY 31. 



I WILL extol thee. O Lord : f or rhou hast lifted me up. 
O Lord my God. I cried unro diee^ and thou hast 
healed me. 

Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his. and give rhanks 
at the remembrance of his holiness. 

For his anger endureth but a moment, but his fav:r f : r 
life ; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in 
the morning. 

I mil lift up mine eyes unto the hills, whence cometh 
my help. 

My help cometh from the Lord; which made heaven and 
earth. 

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved : he tliat keepeth 
thee wdll not slmnber. 

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor 
sleep. 

The Lord is thy keeper : the Lord is thy shade upon thy 
right hand. 

Go up, go up, my heart, 
Dwell with thy God above ; 
For here thou canst not rest. 
Nor here give all thy love. 

Go up, go Tip, my heart, 
Be not a trifler here ; 
Ascend above these clouds ; 
Dwell in a higher sphere. 

Let not thy love flow out 
To things so soiled and dim ; 
Go up to heaven and God, 
Take up thy love to him. 

OLORD, may the words of our mouths and the ::te ci- 
tation of our hearts be acceptable in thy s:^/.:. 
Thou, Lord, art our Shepherd: lead us and feed us ; arc] 
nothing shall be wanting where thou hast folded us, until 
we be brought to the pasture of eternal life. To thee, O 
Father, be all gloiy and praise. The Lord bless us and 
keep us ; the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be 
gracious unto us ; the Lord lift up the light of his counte- 
nance upon us, and give us peace. Amen. 



JUNE 1. 



IN the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 
And God said^ Let there be light : and there was light. 
And God saw the light, that it was good ; and God 
divided the lio-ht from the darkness. And God called the 
light day, and the darkness he called night, and the even- 
j'ng and the morning were the first day. 

And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and 
he cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth on 
the earth after their kind : and God saw that it was good. 

Oh ! give thanks to him who made 
Morning light and evening shade ; 
Source and Giver of all good, 
Nightly sleep and daily food ; 
Quickener of our wearied powers, 
Guard of our unconscious hours ! 

Oh ! give thanks to nature's King, 
Who made every breathing thing : 
His our warm and sentient frame ; 
His the mind's immortal flame. 
Oh, how close the ties that bind 
Spirits to the Eternal ^lind ! 

OLORD our God, the bountifal source of all good : we 
bless thee for our lives, and the gifts of grace, of 
nature, and of society ; for instruction in divine truth ; for 
the voice of thy calling, repeated so often ; for thy patience, 
thy long-suffering, thy very long forbearance towards us, 
who often and grievously, very often and very grievously, 
have sinned against thee ; for all the benefits we have re- 
ceived j for all the little good we may have done ; for the 
enjoyment of present good ; for thy promise and our hope 
of good to come ; for loving parents, for wise teachers, for 
benefactors never to be forgotten ; for brethren of one 
mind with us j for kind friends, for faithful servants, for all 
who by their writings or words or example have helped 
us in our heavenward w^ay. For all these, and for all other 
known or unknown, remembered or forgotten, mercies, we 
praise thee, and will praise ; w^e bless thee, and will bless ; 
we thank thee, and will give thee thanks, now and for ever. 
Amen. 



JUNE 2 



SO God created man in his own image, in the image ot 
God created he him ; male and female created he them. 
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb 
bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and 
every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed ; 
to you it shall be for meat. 

And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of 
the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, 
wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for 
meat : and it was so. 

And God saw every thing that he had made ; and, 
behold, it was very good. 

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all 
'"he host of them. 

There is no price set on the lavish summer, 
And June may be had by the poorest comer. 
And what is so rare as a day in June ? 

Then, if ever come perfect days ; 
Then Heaven tries the earth if it be in tune, 

And over it softly her warm ear lays. 
Whether we look, or whether we listen, 
We hear life murmur or see it glisten. 

Every clod feels a stir of might ; 
An instinct within it that reaches and towers, 
And, grasping blindly above it for light, 

Climbs to a soul in grass and flowers. 
The flush of life may well be seen 

Thrilling back over hills and valleys ; 
And there's never a leaf or blade too mean 

To be some happy creature's palace. 

IN the morning, O God, the voice of prayer shall ascend 
to thee in the heavens ; for thy providence has over- 
shadowed us, and thou hast watched over our defenceless 
slumbers. Again the light of day returns, and all thy 
wwks break forth before thee into singing. The heavens 
declare thy glory. The earth rejoices, and is glad at the 
visits of thy love. And we, formed in thy likeness, en- 
dowed* with thine inspiration, distinguished as we are among 
thy creatures, would join with universal nature, and call 
upon all around and within us to praise and magnify thy 
great and holy name. Amen. 

154 



JUNE 3. 



AND the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden ; 
and there he put the man whom he had formed. 
And out of the ground made the Lord to grow every tree 
that is pleasant to the sight and good for food : the tree of 
life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowl- 
edge of good and evil. 

And a river went out of Eden to water the garden. 
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the 
Garden of Eden to dress and to keep it. 

And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in 
the garden in the cool of the day. 

Nov/ is the hightide of the year, 

And whatever of life hath ebbed away 
Comes flooding back with a ripply cheer 

Into every bare inlet and creek and bay ; 
Now the heart is so full that a drop overfills it. 
We are happy now because God so wills'it; 
No matter how barren the past may have been, 
'Tis enough for us now that the leaves are green ; 
We sit in the warm shade, and feel right well 
How the sap creeps up and the blossoms swell ; 
We may shut our eyes, but we cannot help knowing 
That skies are clear and grass is growing; 
Joy comes, grief goes, we know not how ; 

Every thing is happy now. 

Every thing is upward striving ; 
'Tis as easy now for the heart to be true 
As for grass to be green, or for skies to be blue : 

'Tis the natural \vay of living. 

LET the heavens rejoice and let the whole earth be glad, 
for Thou, the Lord God omnipotent, reignest ; and 
all, from the greatest to the least, are upheld by thine arm, 
which never grows weary. Thou givest us the night for 
repose. And now again for us the sun sheds abroad its 
light, and we awake to rejoice in thy glory filling earth 
and sky, and to partake of thine exhaustless bounty. We 
would go forth bearing in our hearts a grateful sense of 
thy mercy. May we have thee always before us and in our 
hearts, to love and serve witli an entire mind. Give us 
light within to make our way plain. And give us strength 
to walk in the right way even unto the end. Amen. 

155 



JUNE 4. 



HAT was the true Light, which lighteth every man 
that Cometh into the world. 



He was in the world, and the world was made by him, 
and the world knew him not. 

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to 
become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his 
name. 

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us 
(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten 
of the Father), full of grace and truth. 

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth 
came by Jesus Christ. 

No man hath seen God at any time ; the only begotten 
Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared 
him. 

Whene'er a noble deed is wrought, 
Whene'er is spoken a noble thought, 

Our hearts, in glad surprise, 

To higher levels rise. 

The tidal wave of deeper souls 
Into our inmost being rolls, 

And lifts us unawares 

Out of all meaner cares. 

Honor to those whose words or deeds 
Thus help us in our daily needs, 

And by their overflow 

Raise us from what is low ! 

T~?ATHER divine, our teacher, guide, and friend, whose 



JL gracious will it is that all souls should be saved and 
come to a knowledge of the truth, we adore and bless thy 
wisdom and goodness. May thy word not speak to us 
in vain. We open our hearts to receive it with glad 
welcome. We enshrine it in our souls, and pray that it 
may make its way into our lives, and light up our whole 
being with present and eternal life. Oh, may the purity and 
fidelity, the sweetness and simplicity, of the great Teacher 
be in us ! May his influence be manifested by a deeply 
religious life. Give us the grace needful for us : and to 
thee be praise evermore. Amen. 





JUNE 5. 



TRULY the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it 
is for the eyes to behold the sun. 
Now learn a parable of the fig-tree : When his branch is 
yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer 
is nigh. 

As the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden 
causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth : so 
the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring 
forth before all the nations. 

HoAV glad the tone when summer's sun 
Wreathes the gay world with flowers, 

And trees bend down with golden fruit, 
And birds are in their bowers ! 

The morn sends silent music down 

Upon each earthly thing ; 
And always since creation's dawn 

The stars together sing. 

Shall man remain in silence, then, 

While ail beneath the skies 
The chorus join.? no, let us sing, 

And while our voices rise, 

Oh, let our lives, great God, breathe forth 

A constant melody ; 
And every action be a tone 

In that sweet hymn to thee ! 

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we thine un- 
worthy servants do give thee most humble and 
heart}^ thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to 
us and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, pre- 
seiwation, and all the blessings of this life ; but, above all, 
for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world 
by our Lord Jesus Christ ; for the means of grace, and for 
the hope of glory. And, we beseech thee, give us that 
due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be un- 
feignedly thankful, and that we may show forth thy praise, 
not only with our lips, but in our lives ; by giving up our- 
selves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holi- 
ness and righteousness all our days, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

157 



JUNE 6. 



WHO shall separate us from the love of Christ ? shall 
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, 
or nakedness, or peril, or sword ? 

As it is written. For thy sake we are killed all the day 
long ; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, 
through him -that loved us. 

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor an- 
gels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor 
things to come, 

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be 
able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ 
Jesus our Lord. 

Lord, make us timely wise, 

To know thy call of grace, 
And with the moment, as it flies, 

Run our appointed race ; — 

Still keep the end in view, 

Tarry nor turn aside ; 
Perils, allurements, bonds, break through, 

Most faithful when most tried ! 

Thus, till we reach the goal, 

All else to count but loss ; 
Nor, till we gain the prize, — our soul , — 

Grow weary of the cross. 

HELP US, O our Father, this day to be perfect as thou 
art perfect ; according to our light and strength, to 
be true and kind and upright and just. May we do our 
work cheerfully, accept our joys gratefully, and endure our 
trials with patience. With alacrity may we serve thee and 
our fellow-men, welcoming every opportunity to assist those 
in need, and faithfully keeping our souls in harmony with 
thy holy law. Guide and govern us through this day by 
thy good Spirit, and may its close find its work faith- 
fully done, its lessons learned, and its journey straightly 
travelled on the road that leads to heaven and thee. 
Amen. 

1^8 



JUNE 7 



NOW when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, 
he went into his house ; and, his windows being open 
in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon * his 
knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks be- 
fore his God, as he did aforetime. 

Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying 
and making supplication before his God. 

And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the 
doors of the house of the Lord. 

Open the doors of the house your home ; 

Bid the fresh air and the sun " Welcome." 
There's no need of the caution that kept the bars tight, 
For the prowlers have fled at the presence of light ; 
Lo ! the phantoms of dreams can no longer affright, 
And the weeping of sorrow endures but a night : 
Open the doors of the house. 

Open the doors of the house of the Lord ! 

Reason and liberty wake restored. 
Let the soul now a nobler career begin, 
With more love to show and more worth to win ; 
Banish out every spirit to darkness akin ; 
Let the guests and the angels come trooping in : 
Open the doors of the house. 

INFINITE One, whose grandeur and whose love no 
name expresses and no words can tell : we would 
lift our souls into the sunlight of thy presence, that they 
may be filled with exceeding comfort and surpassing 
strength. Day unto day uttereth speech and night unto 
night showeth knowledge of thee. And where there is no 
other voice or language, we thank thee for thy Holy Spirit, 
that silently comes and knocks at every closed heart, and 
into open souls comes like the sweetness of the morning, 
spreading there the delight of truth and piety, and loving- 
kindness and tender mercy. O Father, may our souls be 
ever open to thy messengers, whether of joy or grief or 
duty. And wilt thou make thine abode in our hearts, and 
dwell with us evermore. Amen. 



IS9 



JUNE 8. 



THE Lord is my light and my salvation : whom shall 
I fear ? the Lord is the strength of my life : of 
whom shall I be afraid ? 

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek 
after ; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the 
days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to 
inquire in his temple. 

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavil- 
ion : in the secret place of his tabernacle shall he hide me ; 
he shall set me upon a rock. 

Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy ; 
I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. 

Thou life within my life, than self more near ! 
Thou veiled presence, infinitely clear ! 
From all illusive shows of sense I flee, 
To find my centre and my rest in thee. 

Below all depths thy saving mercy lies ; 
Through thickest glooms I see thy light arise ; 
Above the highest heavens thou art not found 
More surely than within this earthly round. 

Take part with me against these doubts that rise, 
And seek to throne thee far in distant skies ; 
Take part with me against this self that dares 
Assume the burden of these sins and cares ! 

How can I call thee who art always here ? 
How shall I praise thee who art still most dear ? 
What may I give save what thou hast given ? 
And whom but thee have I in earth or heaven ? 

EVER Blessed God, fountain of all good, indebted to 
thee for all that we possess and all that we enjoy, 
we adore thy greatness and are grateful for thy goodness. 
We acknowledge our dependence on thee, and commend 
ourselves to thy loving care. We thank thee for all the 
revelations of thy word and will. Thanks for the heavenly 
doctrines, precepts, and promises of the gospel of thy Son. 
May our hearts be touched by its holy influences, our 
characters formed by its spirit, and our lives governed by 
its laws. Oh ! guide us, we beseech thee, in the way of truth, 
to our everlasting home ! May the whole world come 
to the perfect light. Amen. 

i6o 



JUNE 9. 



TAKE no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or 
what ye shall drink ; nor yet for your body, what ye 
shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the 
body than raiment ? 

Behold the fowls of the air : for they sow not, neither 
do they reap, nor gather into barns ; yet your heavenly 
Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they ? 

And why take ye thought for raiment ? Consider the 
lilies of the field, how they grow ; they toil not, neither do 
they spin : 

And yet I say unto you. That even Solomon in all his 
glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which 
to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not 
much more clothe you, O ye of little faith ? 

In holy contemplation, 

We sweetly then pursue 
The theme of God's salvation, 

And find it ever new. 
Set free from present sorrow, 

We cheerfully can say, 
E'en let the unknown morrow • 

Bring with it what it may. 

It can bring with it nothing 

But he will bear us through ; 
Who gives the lilies clothing 

Will clothe his people too. 
Beneath the spreading heavens 

No creature but is fed ; 
And he who feeds the ravens 

Will give his children bread. 

OUR Heavenly Father, show thy tender compassion to 
our souls. Be not thou afar off when we cry for 
help, but ever present to our hearts. VVe seek our daily 
bread from the great storehouse of thy providence ; give us 
whatever thou seest good. We offer thee our penitent 
confessions, believing that thou forgivest sins ; blot out 
our past offences, and give us again thy peace all the days 
of our life. We commit ourselves as thy children into thy 
Fatherly hands for ever. Amen. 
K i6i 



JUNE 10. 




ND I have put my words in thy mouth, and have 
. covered thee in the shadow of my hand. 



Sing, O ye heavens ; for the Lord hath done it : shout, 
ye lower parts of the earth : break forth into singing, ye 
mountains, O forest, and every tree therein : for the Lord 
hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel 

Thus saith the Lord thy Redeemer, and he that formed 
thee, I am the Lord that maketh all things ; that stretcheth 
forth the heavens alone ; that spreadeth abroad the earth 
by myself. 

Know well, my soul, God's hand controls 

Whate'er thou fearest ; 
Round him in calmest music rolls 

Whate'er thou hearest. 
What to thee is shadow, to him is day, 

And the end he knoweth ; 
And not on a blind and aimless way 

The spirit goeth. 

In life, in death, in dark and light, 

All are in God's care ; 
Sound the black abyss, pierce the deep of night,- 

And he is there. 
Leaning on him, make, with reverent meekness, 

His own thy will, 
And with strength from him shall thy utter weakness 

Life's task fulfil. 

ALMIGHTY God, may every day lead us nearer to 
thee, and every event come to us as a messenger 
from heaven, to increase our faith and hope and love. In 
the world we shall have temptation ; but in thy strength 
may we overcome the world. Inspire us with a godly, pen- 
etrating fear, that we may abhor that which is evil, and 
cleave to that which is good. In every righteous purpose, 
in every virtuous emotion, may we discern the agency of 
thy Spirit, working within us to will and to do. May this 
be the rock of our faith, the fountain of our strength, that 
thou dost inspire, sanctify, and assist all good resolutions 
and all right aims. It is thine own voice, O God, that 
speaketh in the soul. May we ever hear it, heed it, and 
obey, gladly following whithersoever it shall call. Amen. 



JUNE 11. 



A SOWER went out to sow his seed : and as he sowed, 
some fell by the wayside ; and it was trodden 
down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 

And some fell upon a rock ; and as soon as it was 
spmng up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 

And some fell among thorns ; and the thorns sprang up 
with it, and choked it. 

And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and 
bare fruit a hundredfold. 

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious 
seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bring- 
ing his sheaves with him. 

Oh, may we treasure well 

The counsels that we hear, 
Till righteousness and holy joy 

In all our hearts appear ! 

Water the sacred seed, 

And give it large increase ; 
May neither fowls nor rocks nor thorns 

Prevent the fruits of peace. 

And, though we sow in tears, 

Our souls at last shall come. 
And gather in our sheaves with joy 

At Heaven's great harvest home. 

WE give thanks unto thee, merciful Father, that 
thou hast been continually with us, to do us good. . 
Thou hast upheld our souls in life, and made us to dwell 
in safety. Thou hast been our refuge and our strength, 
a present help in time of trouble. Thou hast fed us 
with food convenient for us, and hast given us all things 
richly to enjoy. We desire at all times to live in thy 
fear, and to obey thy will. May thy love restrain us from 
all wickedness in thought, word, or deed. Cleanse thou 
us from secret faults ; keep back thy sen^ants also from 
presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over us. 
Establish our hearts in thy love, and lead us in the way 
everlasting. Amen. 

163 



JUNE 12. 



OLORD. righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto 
us confusion of face as at this day ; 
O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, because we 
have sinned against thee. 

Now therefore. O our God. hear the prayer of thy servants 
and their supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon 
thy sanctuar}' for the Lord's sake. 

O my God, incline tliine ear. and hear ; open thine eyes, 
and behold : for we do not present our supplications before 
thee for our righteousness, but for thy great mercies. 

O Lord, hear j O Lord, forgive ; O Lord, hearken and 
do : defer not, for thine own sake. O our God. 

O THor true life of all that live ! 

Who dost, unmoTcd, all motion s'^av ; 
Who dost the mom and evening give. 

And through its chansres eiiide the dav : 

Thy light upon our evenii'.r ^rur, 

So may our souls no suiise: see ; 
But death to us an open door 

To an eternal morning be. 

ALAIIGHTY God, who rulest over all the kingdoms 
of the earth, and on whose gracious providence we 
depend evermore for presentation and prosperit}^ : extend, 
we beseech thee, thy paternal goodness to thy people. Our 
necessities and dangers are all known to thee. Vouchsafe 
to guide us continually with thy counsel, and strengthen us 
with thy power ; and so direct and sanctify our hearts that, 
looking up to thee as our only safeguard and the supreme 
Author of all blessings, we may have the unspeakable bless- 
ing of thy almight}^ protecdon and thy heavenly favor. 
'Most gracious Father, let thy blessing rest on every mem- 
ber of thy great human family. ]\Iay every one be a par- 
taker of thy gospel in Jesus Christ. Grant that the bright 
beams of thy truth may shine upon those who are walking 
in darkness ; till all the kindreds of thy people shall know 
thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast 
sent. Amen. 



164 



JUNE 13. 



HAST thou not known ? hast thou not heard, that the 
everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends 
of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no 
searching of his understanding. 

He giveth power to the faint ; and to them that have no 
might he increaseth strength. 

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young 
men shall utterly fall : 

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their 
strength ; they shall mount up with wings as eagles j they 
shall run, and not be w^eary j and they shall walk, and not 
faint. 

There's nothing bright, above, below, 
From flowers that bloom to stars that glow, 
But m its light my soul can see 
Some feature of the Deity. 

There's nothing dark, below, above, 
But in its gloom I trace thy love, 
And meekly wait the moment when 
Thy touch shall make all bright again. 

The heavens, the earth, where'er I look, 
Shall be one pure and shining book, 
Where I may read in words of flame 
The glories of thy wondrous name. 

WE thank thee, O God, for the pleasant light of life, 
and for that gracious providence v/hich again pours 
around us the cheerful beams of the morning. Oh, may 
our progress in wisdom and holiness be like the dawning 
light, silently and steadily growing brighter and brighter 
toward the perfect day ! We bow ourselves before thee, in 
adoration and prayer, and invoke thy Spirit, the Spirit of 
life and love, to descend and sanctify our hearts and lips. 
Let not our devotion grow cold ; but by our daily praises 
and supplications may the pure fire of religion be fed in 
our souls, and kindled into a flame never to be extinguished. 
May thy kingdom come, and thy will be done on earth as 
it is in heaven j for thine is the power and the glory for 
ever. Amen. 

i6s 



JUNE 14. 



WHEREFORE, seeing we also are compassed about 
with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside 
every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and 
let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith ; 
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, 
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of 
the throne of God. 

Awake, my soul ! stretch every nerve, 

And press with vigor on ; 
A heavenly race demands thy zeal, 

And an immortal crown. 

A cloud of witnesses around 

Hold thee in full survey : 
Forget the steps already trod. 

And onward urge thy way. 

'Tis God's all-animating voice 

That calls thee from on high ; ■ 
'Tis his own hand presents the prize 

To thine aspiring eye ; — 

That prize with peerless glories bright, 

Which shall new lustre boast 
When victors' wreaths and monarchs' gems 

Shall blend in common dust. 

ALMIGHTY God, who beholdest thy creatures encom- 
passed with such darkness of ignorance that often 
they distrust thy providence, thinking themselves forsaken 
when thou dost not immediately relieve them : oh grant that 
with uplifted minds we may contemplate those things which 
thy holy word reveals ; not doubting that thou lookest 
upon us, and givest thine angels charge to keep us, to bear 
us up in their hands, and to guide us in all difficulties. So 
may we wholly commit ourselves to thy fatherly care ; and 
while we press forward to the mark of the prize of our high 
calling in Jesus Christ, do thou ever draw and direct us 
in the ways of thine appointment, until at length we be 
gathered into our rest. Amen. 

i66 



JUNE 15. 



FOR as the rain cometh down, and the snow from 
heaven, and return eth not thither, but watereth the 
earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give 
seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth : 
it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish 
that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing 
whereto I sent it. 

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace : 
the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you 
into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their 
hands. 

Thou art, O God, the life and light 

Of all this wondrous world we see ; 
Its glow by day, its smile by night, 

Are but reflections caught from thee : 
Where'er we turn, thy glories shine. 

And all things fair and bright are thine. 

When youthful Spring around us breathes, 

Thy Spirit warms her fragrant sigh ; 
And every flower the Summer wreathes 

Is born beneath thy kindling eye : 
Where'er we turn, thy glories shine, 

And all things fair and bright are thine. 

GOD of our lives. Maker of heaven and earth, who 
dost every morning command the light to shine out 
of darkness : shine into our hearts now, and give us the 
light of the knowledge of thy glory. Let an everlasting 
day dawn within us. As we have risen refreshed by re- 
pose, we would go forth this morning wdth heart and 
hand ready for every good work. We would return to our 
active duties with a fresh sense of the true value and 
purposes of life^ and more deeply impressed than ever by 
the thought of the momentous consequences involved in 
all that we do. But without thee all our strength is naught, 
and we shall labor in vain. Grant us thy blessing. God 
be with us this day to guard and guide. Amen. 

167 



JUNE 16. 



OWE no man any thing, but to love one another : for 
he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou slialt 
not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false 
witness, Thou shalt not covet ; and if there be any other 
commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, 
namely. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 

Love worketh no ill to his neighbor : therefore love is 
the fulfilling of the law. 

Pour forth the oil, — pour boldly forth ; 

It will not fail, until 
Thou failest vessels to provide 

Which it may largely fill. 
Make channels for the streams of love, 

Where they may broadly run ; 
And love has overflowing streams 

To fill them every one. 

But if at any time we cease 

Such channels to provide. 
The very founts of love for us 

Will soon be parched and dried. 
For we must share, if we would keep, 

That blessing from above ; 
Ceasing to give, we cease to have : 

Such is the law of love. 

WE thank thee, merciful Father, for our daily bless- 
ings ; accepting them as a sacred trust, may we 
remember the duties they lay upon us. May fidelity and 
mercy be the spirit of our lives, owing no man any thing 
but to love one another. May the gentle pure spirit of the 
blessed Jesus possess our hearts and rule our words and 
deeds. May peace, harmony, and love abide in our home, 
and the voice of health and cheerfulness be ever heard 
therein. Let thy mercy surround our abode and follow us 
in all our ways. Throughout our earthly pilgrimage be 
thou our guide and comforter ; let thy rod and staff be our 
support in the valley of the shadow of death ; and lift up 
the light of thy countenance upon us in the regions of 
eternal day. Amen. 

i68 



JUNE 17. 




ESUS saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him 
that sent me, and to finish his work. 



Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh 
harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and 
look on the fields ; for they are white ah'eady to harvest. 

And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gatheretli fruit 
unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that 
reapeth may rejoice together. 

And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and an- 
other reapeth. 

I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor : 
other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors 

Arise ! this day shall sliine, 

For evermore 
To thee a star divine 

On Time's dark shore. 

To each anointed priest 

God's summons came ; 
O soul, he speaks to-day, 

And calls thy name. 

Raise up thine eyes ; be strong, 

Nor cast away 
The crown that God has given 

Thy soul to-day ! 

OHOLY Father, help us to labor for those enduring 
riches which consist in the knowledge of thee, and 
in the glory of thy gracious presence. Suffer us not, we 
pray thee, so to limit thy power as to think that thou art 
not now able to supply our real wants, though blessings 
which we were wont to enjoy are taken from us. Restrain, 
we beseech thee, our desires ; teach us willingly to submit 
ourselves to thy wisdom. Let thy promises and providence 
be our storehouse : let it be enough for us to believe as we 
do, that though we lose all we possess, yet, inasmuch as 
thou hast once loved us in Christ, we shall never lose thy 
favor. Through him be ascribed unto thee glory and 
dominion, world without end. Amen. 

169 



JUNE 18. 



HOW lovely are thy dwellings, O Lord of hosts ! 
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth, for the courts 
of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the 
livinof God. 

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house : they are still 
praising thee. Blessed is the man whose strength is in 
thee : in whose heart are thy ways. 

Passing through the valley of son'ow they make it full of 
fountains, and the latter rain covers it with blessings. 

When the day of toil is done, 
When the race of life is run, 
Father, grant thy wearied one 
Rest for evermore 1 

When the heart, by sorrow tried, 
Feels at length its throbs subside, 
Bring us where all tears are dried, 
Joy for evermore ! 

When for vanished days we yearn, 
Days that never can return, 
Teach us in thy love to learn 

Love for evermore ! 

When the breath of life is flown, 
When the grave must claim its own, 
Lord of life, be ours thy crown, — 
Life for evermore ! 

INFINITE Ruler of the Universe, in all the order of 
creation thou art working for the welfare cf thy creat- 
ures and thy children, and with every new day pouring 
out bounties with lavish hand. Thou art ever more ready 
to grant thy good gifts than we are to ask or even to 
receive. We need not wander afar to find thee : thou 
art ever near and waiting to bless us. When we turn our 
faces toward thee, thy smile greets us ; when we open our 
hands, thou fillest them with good. O our Father, may we 
no longer waste our substance in riotous living, and -feed 
our souls on husks of worldliness. May we this day come 
home, and never wander again. In thy favor, O our Father, 
may we live and die, and live again for ever. Amen. 



JUNE 19. 



SEEING then that we have a great high priest, that is 
passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us 
hold fast our profession. 

For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched 
with the feehng of our infirmities ; but was in all points 
tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, 
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time 
of need. 

They who seek the throne of grace 
Find that throne in every place ; 
If we Uve a Hfe of prayer, 
God is present everywhere. 

In our sickness or our health, 
In our want or in our wealth, 
If we look to God in prayer, 
God is present everywhere. 

When our earthly comforts fail, 
When the foes of life prevail, 
'Tis the time for earnest prayer : 
God is present everywhere. 

ETERNAL Spirit, whose nearness to man is the begin- 
ning of all religion, grant us in all love and obe- 
dience to be reckoned thy children j and through the 
breathing of thy Holy Spirit may the whole family of man- 
kind be joined into one. and sanctified. Pour on thy 
servants the increase of faith, hope, and charity, that they 
may both faithfully ser^^e thee in time and enjoy thee in 
eternity. Grant us so to have our inward sight quickened, 
and our better mind strengthened, that we may avoid what 
destroys and lay hold on what works perpetual peace. Grant 
that a new birth of heart 'may set free those whom sin 
would hold as slaves in the old bondage. As we are saved 
from all evil by partaking of thy thought, so may we ever be 
preserved by thy power. In the spirit of him who was in 
all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin, we would 
come boldly to thy throne of grace : may we obtain mercy, 
and find grace to help in time of need, and evermore enjoy 
the peace of thy kingdom. Amen. 

171 



JUNE 20. 



NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the 
evidence of things not seen. 
For by it the elders obtained a good report. 
Through faith we understand that the worlds were 
framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen 
were not made of things which do appear. 

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacri- 
fice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was 
righteous, God testifying of his gifts : and by it he being 
dead yet speaketh. 

But without faith it is impossible to please him : for he 
that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is 
a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

'Tis by the faith of joys to come 

We walk through deserts dark as night ; 

Till we arrive at heaven our home, 
Faith is our guide and Faith our light. 

The want of sight she well supplies ; 

She makes the pearly gates appear ; 
Far into distant worlds she pries, 

And brings eternal glories near. 

OUR Father, who art in heaven and on earth, and near 
unto every heart : we flee unto thee, seeking to feel 
thy presence, to know thee as thou art, and to worship 
thee with all our mind and conscience and heart and soul. 
We seek to commune Avith thy Spirit, that we may freshen 
our hearts, tired with the world's journey and sore travail, 
and bow^ our faces down and drink at the living waters. 
Help us to grow stronger and nobler by this world's vary- 
ing good and ill ; and, while we enlarge the quantit}^ of our 
being by continued life, may we improve its quality and 
kind not less, and become fairer, more tender and heavenlv, 
as we leave behind us the various events of .our mortal life. 
So, Father, may we grow in goodness and in grace, and here 
on earth attain the perfect measure of a complete man. So 
in our heart and life may thy kingdom come, and thy will 
be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Amen. 



172 



JUNE 21. 



OUT of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines. 
Our God comes, and does not keep silence : a fire 
devours before him, and a tempest rages around him. 

He calls to the heavens from above, and to the earth, 
tliat he may judge his people. 

Hear, O my people, and I will speak: O Israel, and I 
will admonish thee : I am God, even thy God. 

Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a 
thousand hills. 

I know all the fowls of the mountains : and the wild 
beasts of the field are mine. 

For the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. 
Offer unto God thanksgiving ; and pay thy vows unto 
the Most High. 

Thy mighty working, mighty God, 
AYakes all my powers ; I look abroad, 

And can no longer rest ; 
I too must sing when all things sing, 
And from my heart the praises ring : 

The highest loveth best. 

I think, art thou so good to us, 
And scatterest joy and beauty thus 

O'er this poor earth of ours ; 
^Yhat joy and glories shall be given 
From gardens in thy shining heaven, 

Where all is sweet with flowers ! 

ALMIGHTY God. we thank thee for the various bless- 
ings which make our lives happy: for our friends, 
our kindred, and our peaceful homes ; for the daily supply 
of our temporal wants, and for the bodily health which 
enables us to enjoy what we receive ; for our Christian faidi 
and religious privileges ; for the consolations Vvdiich sustain 
us under affliction, and the hopes which cheer us in the 
prospect of death. We thank thee for the means of im- 
provement and the opportunities of usefulness. And we 
beseech thee. O most merciful God, that we may have 
grace so to use the time and privileges of our life on earth 
as finally to triumph over sin and death, and be worthy of 
the life eternal. Amen. 



173 



JUNE 22. 



I WAITED patiently for the Lord j and he inclined unto 
me, and heard my cry. 
And hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto 
our God : many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in 
the Lord. 

Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust and 
resorteth not to men of pride and falsehood. 

Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which 
thou hast done ; many are thy gracious thoughts toward 
us j if I would declare and speak of them, they are more 
than can be numbered. 

Why thus longing, thus for ever sighing, 
For the far off, unattained, and dim ; 

While the beautiful, all round thee lying, 
Offers up its low perpetual hymn ? 

Wouldst thou listen to its gentle teaching, 
All thy restless yearnings it would still ; 

Leaf and flower and laden bee are preaching 
Thine own sphere, though humble, first to fill. 

OTHOU whose mercy still prolongs our lives, and 
furnishes us with all things needful for our daily 
sustenance and growth: grant us the guidance of thine 
ever-present Spirit ] lead us in the ways of righteousness 
and peace : and unto thy name be thanksgiving and honor. 
O Lord God, who givest power to the faint, and to them 
that have no might increasest strength : we pray thee to 
be to us a present help in time of trouble ; that, whereas 
through manifold temptations we are sore hindered in 
runnino; the race that is set before us, thv bountiful o;race 
and mercy may speedily help and deliver us, through him 
whom thou hast exalted to be unto us a Prince and a 
Saviour. Holy Father, grant us, we earnestly beseech 
thee, time ard opportunity to tarr}^ in the most plentiful 
pastures of the holy Scriptures, where thou leadest us beside 
the still waters, until the day of eternity dawns, and the 
shadow of mortality is gone down. Amen. 



174 



JUNE 23. 



OTHE depth of the riches both of the wisdom and 
knowledge of God ! how unsearchable are his judg- 
ments, and his ways past finding out ! 

For who hath known the mind of the Lord ? or who 
hath been his counsellor ? Or who hath first given to him^ 
and it shall be recompensed unto him again ? 

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things : 
to whom be glory for ever. 

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in 
believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power 
of the Holy Ghost. 

The best will is our Father's will, 
And we may rest there calm and still. 
Oh make it hour by hour thine own, 
And wish for nought but that alone 
Which pleases God. 

What most would profit us he knows, 
And ne'er denies aught good to those 
Who with their utmost strength pursue 
The right, and only care to do 
What pleases God. 

To thee for ever shall be given 
A kingdom and a crown in heaven ; 
And there shall be fulfilled in thee, 
And thou shalt taste and hear and see, 
What pleases God. 

INFINITE One whom the heavens cannot contain, who 
yet dost make thine abode in pure and humble hearts : 
thou art ever ready to come nigh unto us when we draw 
near to thee. Visit us now, we beseech thee, and dwell 
with us and keep us evermore. We bless thee for the 
night with its refreshing sleep, and for the day with all its 
invitations to joy and duty. In the night shadows of 
sorrow, may our souls find the rest of serene trust. In the 
sunshine of prosperit}^ may we hear the call to rise and do 
the Lord's work and will. Dav and nip-ht alike are thine. 
May we know that thine eye is ever upon us, and that the 
darkness and the light are both alike to thee. So may we 
dwell as in thy holy presence evermore. Amen. 

^75 



JUNE 24. 



OGOD, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my 
soul thirsteth for thee, my heart longeth for thee in 
a dry and thirsty land, where no water is ; 

To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee 
in the sanctuai-v. 

Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips 
shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live : I 
will lift up my hands in thy name. 

Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow 
of thy wings will I rejoice. 

My God was with me all this night, 

And gave me sweet repose : 
My God did watch, e'en whilst I slept, 

Or I had never rose. 

Lord, for the mercies of the night. 

My humble thanks I pay ; 
And unto thee I dedicate 

The first fruits of the day. 

Let this day praise thee, O my God ! 

And so let all my days : 
And oh let mine eternal day 

Be thine eternal praise. 

HOLY Lord God : how can we lift up our face, and 
make mention of thy loving-kindness ? for thy praise 
is only our abasement, and the greatness of thy mercy is 
the measure of our guilt. Yet turn us not back from thy 
presence. Look upon us according to our deep need, not 
our poor deservings. Lift off the biu'den of our many sins, 
and revive the contrite that fly to thee. ^Vhen thou art 
nigh, we are weaiy of our selfish desires, our faithless cares, 
our unresisted temptations : wasted moments, and bitter 
words, and vain ambitions rise up in judgment against us : 
we lay at thy feet with shame the vows we have not kept, 
and the sorrows we have not sanctified. No secret thing 
is hid from thee. Thou knowest the spirit we are of. 
Chasten us with thy rebuke, seek us with thy pity, recall 
us by thy grace, ere we are quite estranged from thee. 
Let the saving word, once heard on earth, be renewed from 
heaven, " Your sins are forgiven ; go in peace." Amen. 

176 



t 



JUNE 25. 




O then every one of us shall give account of himself to 
God. 



T.et us not therefore judge one another any more : but 
judge this rather, that no man put a stumbUng-block or an 
occasion to fall in his brother's way. 

Let not then your good be evil spoken of : 

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink ; but 
lighteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 

For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable 
to God, and approved of men. 

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for 
peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 

Lord, help me strive with each besetting sin, 

Recall my wandering fancies, and restrain 

The sore disquiet of a restless brain ; 

And, as the path of duty is made plain, 
May grace be given that I walk therein. 

Not like the hireling, for his selfish gain, 
With backward glances and reluctant tread. 

Making a merit of his coward dread, — 
But, cheerful, in the light around me thrown, 

Walking as one to pleasant service led ; 
Doing God's will as if it were my own. 
Yet trusting not in mine, but in his strength alone. 

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who hast, 
created all nations of men to dwell on the face of 
the earth : the high and the humble, the rich and the poor, 
are thine, the Lord is the maker of them all. We thank 
thee for all the good gifts we are permitted to enjoy : for 
home, and its comfort and happiness ; for wise and faith- 
ful friends. Help us, O God, that in our abundance we may 
remember the poor and suffering. Hear thou our prayers 
for their sakes. Give to them in their needs ; shield them 
in their exposures. Bless the. widow and the orphan. 
Wipe away the tears from the afflicted. What thou of thy 
bounty givest us, may we share with the needy. Father, 
we pray that the tender spirit of Jesus may more and more 
prevail in the world j and to thy name be glory for ever. 
Amen. 



L 



177 



JUNE 26, 



XT 7ITHHOLD not thou thy tender mercies from me, 
VV O Lord: let thy loving-kindness and thy truth 

continually preserve me. 

For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine 
iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able 
to look up ; they are more than the hairs of mine head 
therefore my heart faileth me. 

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee : 
let such as love thy salvation say continually. The Lord 
be magnified. 

But I am poor and needy ; yet the Lord thinketh upon 
me : thou art my help and my deliverer ; make no tarry 
ing, O my God. 

Life is only bright when it proceedeth 

Towards a truer, deeper life above ; 
Human love is sweetest when it leadeth 

To a more divine and perfect love. 

Learn the mystery of progi'ession duly ; 

Do not call each glorious change decay ; ~ 
But know we only hold our treasures truly 

When it seems as if they passed away. 

Nor dare to blame God's gifts for incompleteness : 

In that want their beauty lies ; they roll 
Towards some infinite depth of love and sweetness, 

Bearing onward man's reluctant soul. 

OGOD, our heavenly Father : we give thee humble and 
hearty thanks for all the benefits and blessings, 
both temporal and spiritual, which in the riches of thy 
great mercy thou hast poured down upon us. We be- 
seech thee, good Lord, that it may please thee to give 
and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, 
so as in due time we may enjoy them ; that it may please 
thee to give us true repentance ; to forgive us all our sins, 
negligences, and ignorance ; and to endue us with the grace 
of thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy 
word. Gracious Lord God, Father of mercies : we beseech 
thee tc hear us, through thy loving-kindness declared to us 
by Jesus Christ, and grant us thy peace. Amen. 




178 



JUNE 27. 



BE merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me : for 
my soul trusteth in thee : yea, in the shadow of thy 
wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be 
overpast. 

Awake^ my soul ; I myself will awake early. 

I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people : I will sing 
unto thee among the nations. 

For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth 
unto the clouds. 

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens : let thy 
glory be above all the earth. 

The light pours down from heaven, 

And enters where it may ; 
The eyes of all earth's children 

Are cheered with one bright day. 

So let the mind's true sunshine 

Be spread o'er earth as free, 
And fill men's waiting spirits 

As the waters fill the sea. 

The soul can shed a glory 

On every work well done; 
As even things most lowly 

Are radiant in the sun. 

OGOD, the Father of light and of wisdom : may our 
minds be enlightened with useful knowledge ; and 
may the truths of religion sink deep into our hearts, and 
influence all our actions. From a steadfast faith in thy 
perfections, may we maintain a constant regard to thine 
administration, submit with cheerfulness to thine appoint- 
ments, live in thy fear, and order our whole conversation 
as in thy sight. Under the influence of our holy religion, 
may we purify our minds from all vicious affections, ab- 
stain from every appearance of evil, and abound in all the 
fruits of righteousness. May the expectation of a happy 
immortality sustain our virtue in the midst of the most 
powerful temptations, and establish our souls in peace and 
joy, for the sake of thine infinite mercy in Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

179 



JUNE 28. 



BLESS them which persecute you : bless, and curse not. 
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with 
them that weep. 

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not 
high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not 
wise in your own conceits. 

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things 
honest in the sight of all men. 

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you live peaceably 
with all men. 

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give 
place unto wrath : for it is written, Vengeance is mine ; I 
will repay, saith the Lord. 

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him ; if he thirst, 
give him drink. 

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

The uplifted eye and bended knee 
Vre but vain homage, Lord, to thee : 
'n vain our lips thy praise prolong, 
The heart a stranger to the song. 

Love God and man, — this great command 
Doth on eternal pillars stand ; 
This did thine ancient prophets teach, 
And this thy well-beloved preach. 

ESTABLISH us, O our Father, in thy faith and fear 
and love ; and enlighten us that we may understand 
thy whole will concerning us. Where we mistake, have 
pity on our errors ; and, if we have wandered from the 
right way, do thou in mercy bring us back. Lead us, O 
Lord, into the paths of righteousness and peace. If we 
have in any measure attained to the knowledge of thy 
truth, may we bring our faith into active exercise. May 
we watch our hearts, and bridle our tongues, and govern 
our tempers. May we be ready to forgive, even as we 
hope to be forgiven. May we be steadfast and immovable^ 
always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that 
our labor shall not be in vain in the Lord. Amen. 



i8o 



JUNE 29, 



C "CONSIDER the ravens : for they neither sow nor reap , 
/ which neither have storehouse nor barn ; and God 
feedeth them : how much more are ye better than the fowls ? 

Consider the lilies how they grow : they toil not, they 
spin not \ and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his 
glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the 
field, and to morrow is cast into the oven : how much more 
will he clothe you, O ye of little faith ? 

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall 
drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 

For all these thino;s do the nations of the world seek 
after : and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these 
things. 

Lo, the lilies of the field ! 
How their leaves instrucdon yield ! 
Hark to Nature's lesson given 
By the blessed birds of heaven ! 
Every bush and tufted tree 
Warbles trust and piety. 
Mortals, banish doubt and sorrow ; 
God provideth for the morrow. 

One there lives whose guardian eye 
Guides our earthly destiny ; 
One there lives who, Lord of all, 
Keeps his children lest they fall. 
Pass we, then, in love and praise. 
Trusting him through all our days, 
Free from doubt and faithless sorrow : 
God provideth for the morrow\ 

OMOST gracious and merciful Father, our defender 
and -preser^^er : endue us with thy grace, that we 
may not be too careful for worldly things, but may make it 
our chief study and care to keep thy holy law ; and that 
we may labor for the necessities of this world, like the 
birds of the air and the lilies of the field, without being 
careful for the morrow. In the spirit of thy dear Son, we 
would cast all our care upon thee, who livest and reignest 
world without end. Amen. 



i8i 



JUNE 30. 



LET every one that thirsteth come to the waters, and 
let him that hath no money come, buy and eat ; yea, 
come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 

Wherefore do ye spend money for diat which is not bread ? 
and your labor for that which satisfieth not ? Hearken 
diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let 
your soul delight itself in goodness. 

Incline your ear, and come unto me : hear, and your soul 
shall live : and I will make an everlasting covenant with 
you. 

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon 
him while he is near : 

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man 
his thoughts : and let him return unto the Lord, and he will 
have mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he will abun- 
dantly pardon. 

To halls of heavenly truth, admission wouldst thou win ? 
Oft knowledge stands without, while love may enter in. 

Lovingly to each other sun and moon give place. 

Else were the mighty heaven for them too narrow space. 

God many a spiritual house has reared; but never one 
Where lowliness was not laid first the corner stone. 

Rear highlv as thou wilt thy branches in the air, 
But that thy roots shall strike as deep have care. 

GIVE us grace to love thy holy word fervently, to search 
it diligently, to read it humbly, to understand it 
truly, and to live after it steadfastly. Order our lives, O 
Lord, that they be always acceptable to thee. Give us 
grace not to rejoice in any thing that displeaseth thee, but 
evermore to delight in those things which thou approvest, 
be they never so contrary to our own desires. Keep us 
upright amid diversity of opinion and judgments in the 
world, that we may never swerve from thy truth as it is in 
Jesus. Amen. 



182 



JULY 1. 



BY wonderful things in righteousness wilt thou answer 
us, O God of our salvation ; who art the confidence 
of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off 
upon the sea : 

They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are awed by 
thy wonders : thou makest the regions of the morning and 
evening to rejoice. 

The earth, all light and loveliness, 

In summer's golden hours, 
Shmes, in her bridal vesture clad, 

And crowned with festal flowers. 
So radiantly beautiful. 

So like to heaven above. 
We scarce can deem more fair that world 

Of perfect bliss and love. 

Is this a shadow faint and dim 

Of that which is to come ? 
What shall the unveiled splendor be 

Of our celestial home, 
Where waves the glorious tree of life, 

Where streams of bliss gush free, 
And all is glowing in the light 

Of immortality ? 

OGOD, who art, and wast, and art to come, before 
whose face the generations rise and pass away : age 
after age the living seek thee, and find that of thy faithful- 
ness there is no end. Our fathers in their pilgrimage 
walked by thy guidance, and rested on thy compassion : 
still to their children be thou the cloud by day, the fire by 
night. Where but in thee have we a covert from the storm, 
or shadow from the heat of life ? In our manifold tempta- 
tions, thou alone knowest and art ever nigh ; in sorrow, thy 
pity revives the fainting soul ; in our prosperity and ease, 
it is thy Spirit only that can wean us from our pride and 
keep us low. O thou sole Source of peace and righteous- 
ness : take now the veil from every heart, and join us in 
one communion with thy prophets and saints who have 
trusted in thee, and were not ashamed. Not of our worthi- 
ness, but of thy tender mercy, hear our prayer. Amen. 

183 



JULY 2. 



VERILY, veril}', I say unto thee, Except a man be born 
of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the 
kino;dom of God. 

That which is born of the flesh is flesh ; and that which 
is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 
The wind bloweth where it listeth. and thou hearest the 
sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and 
whither it goeth : so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 

If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how 
shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things ? 

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that 
came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in 
heaven. 

Spirit divine ! attend our praver, 

And make our hearts thv home ; 
Descend with all thv gracious power ; 

Come, Holy Spirit, come. 

Come as. the light : to waiting minds 

That long the truth to know, 
Reveal the narrow path of right, 

The way of duty show. 

Come as the lire : enkindle now 

The sacrificial liame, 
Till our whole souls an offering be 

In Love's redeeming name. 

Come as the v^dnd : sweep clean away 
■ . What dead within us lies, 

And search and freshen all our souls 
With living energies. 

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all 
desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid : 
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by thy Holy Spirit, that 
we may perfectly love thee. Assist us, O Lord, in all our 
doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy 
continual help ; that in all our works, begun, continued, and 
ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally, 
by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

184 



JULY 3, 



AXD John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a 
girdle of a skin about his loins j and he did eat 
locusts and wild honey : 

And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I 
after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to 
stoop down and unloose. 

I indeed have baptized you with water : hi]t he shall 
baptize you vrirh the Holy Ghost. 

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from 
Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 

And straightway coming up out of the vrater. he saw the 
heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending 
upon him ; and there came a voice from heaven, saying. 
Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 

Come, mighty Spirit, penetrate 

This heart and soul of mine ; 
And my whole being with thy grace 

Pervade, O Life divine ! 

Thy life within our lifeless hearts 

Shall make its glad abode ; 
And we shall shine in beauteous light, 

Filled with the light of God. 

HOLY One, who knowest all our secret thoughts : lift 
upon us the light of thy countenance, and give us 
peace. Grant unto us a pure heart and right spirit. We 
would seek to do what is well pleasing in thy sight ; care- 
ful never to offend thee in thought, word, or deed. May we 
imitate the example of thy beloved Son: and walk in his 
footsteps, loving and faithful even unto death. Help us to 
welcome and obey the truth, and to proclaim it by our word 
and life. Enable us to be jtist and kind. As the years 
pass on, may we grow in wisdom and in favor with God 
and man. Forgive our sins ; when wandering reclaim us ; 
when wean' and discourao;ed, cheer and streno-then us ; 
in our sorrows comfort us ; in our perplexities guide us ; 
livins: mav we love and serve thee. In the hour of death 
may we trust in thee ; and through the grave rise to praise 
and serve thee for ever. x\men. 



JULY 4- 



WE have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have 
told us, what deeds thou didst in their days, in 
the times of old. 

For they got not the land in possession by their own 
sword, neither did their own arm save them, but thy right 
hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, 
because thou hadst a favor unto them. 

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make 
you free. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall 
be free indeed. 

Lord, while for all mankind we pray, 

Of every clime and coast, 
Oh ! hear us for our native land, — 

The land we love the most. 
Oh ! guard our shores from every foe. 

With peace our borders bless ; 
With prosperous times our cities crown. 

Our fields, with plenteousness. 

Unite us in the sacred love 

Of knowledge, truth, and thee ; 
And let our hills and valleys shout 

The songs of liberty. 
Lord of the nations ! thus to thee 

Our country we commend : 
Be thou her refuge and her trust, 

Her everlasting friend I 

SHED abroad thy Spirit, O Lord ; for where thy spirit is, 
there is liberty. Write thy law upon all souls, — the 
law which commands us to do unto others as we would 
they should do unto us. Let not wealth and pleasure be 
the idols of this nation ; but may we be that happy people 
whose God is the Lord. Then shall our light break forth 
as the morning, and our darkness be as the noonday. 
And, upon every return of this day, this people shall be 
advancing in the arts and in the love of peace, and every 
voice shall be lifted up in thanksgiving, and all chains shall 
fall from the limbs and the souls of men ; and, by thy light 
kindled here, all nations shall come and worship before 
thee. Thine, O Lord, is the might and the majesty and 
the dominion for ever and ever ! Amen. 

iS6 



JULY 5. 



COME near, ye nations, to hear ; and hearken, ye 
people ; let the earth hear, and all that is therein ; 
the world, and all things that come forth of it. 

O Lord of hosts, thou art the God, even thou alone, of 
all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven 
and earth. 

Incline thine ear, 0 Lord, and hear ; open thine eyes, 
O Lord, and see : and hear all our words. 

O Lord, thou art my God ; I will exalt thee, I will praise 
thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy 
counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. 

For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength 
to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a 
shadow from the heat, and thou wilt take away the cov- 
ering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over 
all nations. 

O Holy Spirit, who with gentlest breath 

Dost teach to pray, dost comfort or reprove, 
Who givest us all joy and hope and faith, 

Through whom we live at peace with God in love : 
Still do thou shed thine influence abroad ; 

Let me the Father's image ever wear ; 
Make me a holy temple of my God, 

Where dwells for ever calm, adoring prayer I 

GREAT Fountain of happiness, who delightest to 
send forth over creation the streams of joy and de- 
light : thou hast created us, thy children, and blessed us 
with everfiowing sources of good. We thank thee for our 
varied endowments, and especially for our moral and re- 
ligious affections. Thy will is our true welfare. May we 
hallow it in our hearts, and obey it in our lives. Careful 
for nothing but to please thee, we leave our happiness in 
thy hands. Oh, enable us to think of duty more than of its 
rewards. May we live in the purity of little children, sim- 
ply yielding ourselves to thy guidance. Thy way is the 
only safe and joyful way. Knowing in whom we have 
trusted, and confiding in thy grace, oh make us strong in 
our hour of weakness, and keep us faithful unto death ! 
Amen. 

187 



JULY 6. 



A DOUBLE-MINDED man is unstable in all his ways. 
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is 
exalted : 

But the rich, in that he is made low : because as the 
flower of the grass he shall pass away. 

For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but 
it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and 
the grace of the fashion of it perisheth : so also shall the 
rich man fade away in his ways. 

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : for when 
he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the 
Lord hath promised to them that love him. 

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of 
God : for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempt 
eth he any man. 

If humble, next of thy humility beware, 

And, lest thou shouldst grow proud, of such a grace have care. 

God often would enrich, but finds not where to place 
His treasure ; nor in hand nor heart a vacant space. 

Mark how there still has run, inwoven from above, 
Through thy life's darkest woof the golden thread of love. 

Things earthly we must know ere love them : 'tis alone 
Things heavenly that must first be loved, and after known. 

OGOD, our Father, we receive with all thankfulness 
the manifold testimonies thou hast given us of thy 
incomprehensible love and favor towards us through thy 
dearly beloved Son ; and most humbly we bow our knees 
unto thee, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom 
the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that thou 
wouldest grant us, according to the riches of thy glory, 
to be strengthened with might by thy Spirit in the inner 
man ; that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith ; and 
that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able 
to comprehend with all saints what is the length and 
breadth and depth and height, and to know the love of 
Christ, which passeth knowledge, that we may be filled 
with all the fulness of God. Amen. 

i88 



JULY 7. 



AND when they could not come nigh unto him for the 
press, they uncovered the roof where he was : and 
when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein 
the sick of the palsy lay. 

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the 
palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 

And he went forth again by the sea side ; and all the 
multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. 

And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus 
sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow 
me. And he arose and followed him. 

They that are whole have no need of the physician, but 
they that are sick : I came not to call the righteous, but 
sinners to repentance. 

Now the shades o£ night are gone, 
Now the morning light is come ; 
Lord, may we be thine to-day, 
Drive the shades of sin away. 

Fill our souls with heavenly light, 
Banish doubt and clear our sight ; 
In thy service, Lord, to-day, 
May we stand and watch and pray. 

When our work of life is past. 
Oh receive us then at last ; 
Night and sin will be no more 
When we reach the heavenly shore. 

ALMIGHTY One, who hast made this new morning to 
dawn upon us, ma)^ the everlasting day dawn upon 
our souls. May we not waste our lives in dalliance or sin. 
Aid us this day to gain some advance in holiness. Thou 
art opening before us the way of the divine life, calling us 
to the life of truth and courage and self-denial and loving- 
kindness, a life glorious and beautiful, — whose joy grows 
deeper and fuller day by day and year by year. O merciful 
One, help us, frail and sinful though we are, to live that 
blessed life, and to begin it to-day. So may thy kingdom 
come, and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 
x\men. 

189 



JULY 8. 



MAKE a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands : 
Sing forth the honor of his name : make his praise 
glorious. 

All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee ; 
it shall celebrate thy name. 

Come and see the works of God : he is w^onderf ul in his 
doing toward the children of men. 

He ruleth by his power for ever ; his eyes behold the 
nations : let not the rebellious exalt themselves. 

O, bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his 
praise to be heard : 

Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet 
to be moved. 

Dear ties of mutual succor bind 

The children of our feeble race ; 
And, if our brethren were not kind, 

This earth were but a wear}' place. 
We lean on others as we walk 

Life's twilight path with pitfalls strewn, 
And 'twere an idle boast to talk 

Of treading that dim path alone. 

Amid the snares misfortune lays, 

Unseen, beneath the steps of all. 
Blest is the love that seeks to raise 

And stay and strengthen those who fall ; 
Till, taught by Him who for our sake 

Bore every form of life's distress, 
With every passing year we make 

The sum of human sorrows less. 

LORD of all power and might, who art the author and 
giver of all good things : graft in our hearts the love 
of thy name ; increase in us true religion ; nourish us with 
all goodness ; and of thy great mercy keep us in the same, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant, O Lord, we beseech 
thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably 
ordered by thy governance that thy church may jo}^ully 
serve thee in all godly quietness, and the kingdom of thy 
Son may prosper in all lands. Amen. 

190 



JULY 9 



AND in the morning, rising up a great while before day, 
he went out and departed into a soUtary place, and 
there prayed. 

And he said unto them. Let us go into the next towns, 
that I may preach there also : for therefore came I forth. 

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and 
kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, 
thou canst make me clean. 

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, 
and touched him, and saith unto him, I will ; be thou 
clean. 

And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy 
departed from him, and he was cleansed. 

Come, Father of the poor, to earth ; 
Come with thy gifts of precious worth ; 
Come, Light of all of mortal birth ! 

Thou rich in comfort ! ever blest 

The heart where thou art constant guest, 

Who giv'st the heavy-laden rest. 

Come, thou in whom our toil is sweet, 
Our shadow in the noon-day heat, 
Before whom mourning flieth fleet. 

Bright Sun of grace ! thy sunshine dart 
On all who cry to thee apart, 
And fill with gladness every heart. 

MERCIFUL God, whose forgiveness is ever ready for 
those who confess and forsake their sins : pardon us, 
we pray thee ; cleanse our hearts from all impure thoughts 
and unholy purposes, — from envy, hatred, and malice. 
May the sun not go down upon our wrath. May we live in 
peace, with conscience free of offence. And for thy mani- 
fold mercies we offer hearty thanks ; for life, and for reason ; 
for health and friends ; for food and raiment and shelter, and 
all the comforts of life ; above all, for the gospel of thy truth 
and love, for the aid of thy good Spirit, for the hope of im- 
mortality. Grant us grace so to live that we may be ever 
ready to die ; that, living or dying, we may be thine for ever. 
Amen. 



JULY 10. 



TRULY my soul waiteth upon God : from him cometh 
my salvation. 

He only is my rock and my salvation ; he is my defence ; 
I shall not be greatly moved. 

My soul, wait thou only upon God ; for my expectation 
is from him. 

He only is my rock and my salvation : he is nriy defence ; 
I shall not be moved. 

In God is my salvation and my glory ; the rock of my 
strength, and my refuge, is in God. 

Trust in him at all times ; ye people, pour out your 
heart before him : God is a refuge for us. 

Father, whate'er of earthly bliss 

Thy sovereign will denies, 
Accepted at th}- throne, let this, 

My humble prayer, arise : — 

Give me a calm and thankful heart, 

From every murmur free ; 
The blessings of thy grace impart, 

And make me live to Thee ; 

Let the sweet hope that thou art mine 

My life and death attend ; 
Thy presence through my journey shine, 

And bless my journey's end. 

HOLY and ever-blessed God : remove from us, we be- 
seech thee, all unprofitable sadness, and give us 
an even tranquillity of mind, and a becoming cheerfulness 
of spirit ; inspiring us with an earnest desire and expec- 
tation of the blessings which thou hast promised to all 
them that with heart-felt repentance and true faith turn to 
thee. Grant, good Lord, we pray thee, that, having this 
glorious prospect always in our eyes, we may run the way 
of thy commandments with delight ; and, forgetting those 
things that are behind, and reaching forth unto those that 
are before, may be still pressing forward toward the mark 
for the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus. Amen. 



192 



JULY n. 



OGOD, when thou didst go forth before thy people, 
wlien thou didst march through the wilderness ; 
The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the pres- 
ence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence 
of God, the God of Israel. 

The Lord gave the word : great was the company of 
those that jDublished it. 

Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity 
captive : thou hast received gifts from men. 

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, 
even the God of our salvation. 

Thy love, O God ! restores me 

From sighs and tears to praise : 
And deep my soul adores tliee, 

Nor thinks of time or place : 
I ask no more, in good or ill, 
But union with tliy holy will. 

'Tis that which makes my treasure, 

'Tis that which brings my gain : 
Converting woe to pleasure. 

And reaping joy from pain. 
Oh ! 'tis enough, whate'er befall, 
To know that God is all in all. 

IN the morning, O God, the voice of praise shall go up to 
thee : for thy providence doth overshadow us ; and 
thou dost watch our defenceless slumber ; and at night we 
will lie down at peace and sleep, for thou makest us to 
dwell in safety. The heavens declare thy glory, the earth 
rejoices and is glad at The visits of thy love ; and we, 
formed in thine image, endowed with thine inspiration, 
would join with universal nature, and call on all around 
and within us to magnify thy holy name. We humbly ask 
for those things thou seest we need. And the blessing we 
ask for ourselves, wilt thou graciously bestow upon all who 
are dear to us? May we be bound together in faith and 
hope, and look forward to the blessed hour, when, after all 
the trials and separations of this mortal life, we shall 
meet around thy throne in heaven, and dwell together in 
unchanging confidence for ever. Amen. 

M 



JULY 12. 



IF ye fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture, Thou 
shalt love thy neighbor as th3'self, ye do well : 
But if 3'e have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are 
convinced of the law as transgressors. 

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend 
in one point, he is guilty of all. 

For he that said. Do not commit adultery, said also, Do 
not kill. Now if thou commit no adulterv, vet if thou kill, 
thou art become a transsrressor of the law. 

So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by 
the law of liberty. 

My soul, be on thy guard : 

Ten thousand foes arise ; 
The hosts of sin are pressing hard 

To draw thee from the skies. 

Oh, watch and fight and pray ! 

The battle ne'er give o'er ; 
Renew it boldly every day, 

And help divine implore. 

Ne'er think the victory won, 

Nor once at ease sit down : 
Thy arduous work will not be done 

Till thou obtain thy crown. 

OGOD most holy, who hast abundantly assured us 
that, while thou art strict to punish those who con- 
tinue in their sins, thou art a gracious and tender Father 
to the penitent, and wilt open thine ear in compassion to 
the prayers of all such as, with heartfelt shame and sorrow, 
confess their sins before thee : show us, we beseech thee, 
our transgressions as they truly are : pardon us for the 
evil we have done ; judge us not for the good we have left 
undone ; work in us to will and to do thy good pleasure ; 
that, being sanctified by thy Spirit, we may serve thee in a 
religious and holy conversation, as true disciples of thy Son 
Jesus Christ. Search us, O Lord, and know our hearts. 
Try us, and know our thoughts, and see if there be any 
wicked way in us. And lead us in the way everlasting. 
Amen. 

194 



JULY 13. 



I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of 
God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, 
holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable ser- 
vice. 

And be not conformed to this world : but be ye trans- 
formed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove 
what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. 

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every 
man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly 
than he ought to think ; but to think soberly, according as 
God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. - 

God of all grace, we come to thee 

With broken, contrite hearts ; 
Give what thine eye delights to see, — 

Truth in the inward parts. 

Give deep humility; the sense 

Of godly sorrow give ; 
A strong, desiring confidence, 

To hear thy voice and live ; 

Patience to watch and wait and weep, 

Though mercy long delay ; 
Courage our fainting souls to keep, 

And trust thee, though thou slay. 

O MERCIFUL Father, we take shame to ourselves 
that we have hitherto profited so little by thy for- 
bearance and continuance of us in this life. With un- 
feigned sorrow we confess our sins before thee, seeking 
forgiveness at thy hands. And we thank thee, O Father 
of' mercies, for the assurance of thy free pardon and accept- 
ance, which thou hast offered to the penitent by our Lord 
Jesus Christ. Help us to correct and amend whatever has 
been amiss in our conduct and dispositions ; and preserve 
us from falling into any former sins, of all which we now 
sincerely repent before thee ; and may we grow wiser and 
better by our past frailties. O Lord God, we beseech 
thee, let thy grace be sufficient for us. Amen. 

195 



JULY 14. 



THOU waterest the hills from thy chambers: the earth 
is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. 
Thou causest the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb 
for the service of man : that thou mayest bring forth food 
out of the earth : 

And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to 
make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth 
man's heart. 

The trees of the Lord are full of sap : the cedars of Leb- 
anon which he hath planted ; 

Where the birds make their nests : the stork has the fir- 
tree for her home. 

The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats ; and the 
rocks for the conies. 

He appointeth the moon for seasons : the sun knoweth 
when to go down. 

Go forth, my heart, and seek delight 
In all the gifts of God's great might, 

These pleasant summer hours. 
Look how the plains, for thee and me, 
Have decked themselves most fair to see, 

All bright and sweet with flowers. 

The corn springs up, a wealth untold, 
A sight to gladden young and old, 

Who now their voices lift 
To him who gives such plenteous store, 
And makes the cup of life run o'er 

With n\any a noble gift. 

BLESSED be the God of our salvation, who daily load- 
eth us with benefits. Thou givest us health, and 
fruitful seasons, and needful food, and fillest our hearts 
with gladness. Above all, we thank thee for bread from 
heayen, even the word of life. We mourn that we so fail 
to improve thy manifold mercies. Thou hast treated us as 
children, yet we have sinned against thee. We humbly 
beseech thee, who art ever ready to forgive, that thou 
wouldst pity our frailties and pardon our transgressions. 
May we forsake our evil ways, and return to thee with our 
whole hearts. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us, and grant 
us thy salvation. Amen. 

196 



JULY 15. 



THE Lord is my light and my salvation : whom shall 
I fear ? the Lord is the strength of my life : of ^Yhom 
shall I be afraid? 

Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall 
not fear. 

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek 
after : that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the 
days of my life, to behold the glory of the Lord. 

For in the day of trouble he will hide me in his pavilion: 
in the secret place of his tabernacle will he shelter me j 
he will set me upon a rock. 



The ship may sink, and I may drink 

A hasty death in the bitter sea ; 
But all that I leave in the ocean grave 

Can be slipped and spared, and no loss to me. 

What care I though falls the sky. 

And the shrivelling earth to a cinder turn } 

No fires of doom can ever consume 

What never was made nor meant to burn. 

Let go the breath ! There is no death 
To the living soul, nor loss nor harm : 

Not of the clod is the life of God ; 

Let it mount, as it will, from form to form. 



E make an offering to thee, O Father, of all our days. 



V V Thou hast counted them : we would know nothing 
more. All we ask is to die rather than live unfaithful to 
thee ; and if it be thy will that vv^e depart, let us die in pa- 
tience and love. Thou who holdest in thy hand the keys 
of the grave, to open and close it at thy will : give us not 
life if we shall love this earthly life too well. Living or 
dying, we would be thine. Take from us riches, honor, 
health, — every thing that would separate us from thee. 
Let our prayer rise to thee, O God, and on us let thy bless- 
ing descend. Amen. 





197 



JULY 16 



NOW after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into 
Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of 

God, 

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of 
God is at hand : repent ye, and believe the gospel. 

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon 
and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for 
they were fishers. 

And Jesus said unto them. Come 3^e after me, and I will 
make you to become fishers of men. 

And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed 
him. 

Oh ! keep thy conscience sensitive, 

No inward token miss ; 
And go where grace entices thee ; 

Perfection lies in this. 

Be docile to thine unseen Guide ; 

Love him as he loves thee : 
Time and obedience are enough, 

And thou a saint shalt be ! 

HEAVENLY Father, help us so to live every day that 
our habitation shall become to us a house of God and 
a gate of heaven. We would worship thee, who art a spirit, 
in spirit and in truth. Suffer not the cares of the world 
and the anxieties of life to chill our devotions. Rather do 
we earnestly pray that we may present to thee the living sac- 
rifice of obedient hearts and lives, and show our gratitude 
for all thy mercies by lives devoted to thy service. Deliver 
us, O our Father, from all blindness of heart ; from pride, 
vainglory, and hypocrisy ; from envy, hatred, and malice, 
and all uncharitableness ; from all inordinate and sinful 
affections ; from fleshly lusts that war against the soul ; 
from the deceits of the world ; from the counsel of the un- 
godly, and from all sin. Be near to help us in all time of 
our tribulation, in all time of our prosiDcrity, in the hour 
of death, and in the day of judgment. Amen. 

tq8 



JULY 17. 

ONE of the scribes came, and asked him, Which is the 
first commandment of all ? 
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the command- 
ments is, Hear, O Israel ; The Lord our God is one Lord : 
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 
and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all 
thy strength : this is the first commandment. 

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy 
neidibor as thvself. There is none other commandment 
greater than these. 

Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly dove, 
With light and comfort from above ; 
Be thou our guardian, thou our guide, 
O'er every thought and step preside. 

Lead us to holiness, — the road 
Which we must take to dwell with God ; 
Lead us to Christ, — the living way, — 
Nor let us from his pastures stray ; 

Lead us to God, — our final rest, — 
To be with him for ever blest ; 
Lead us to heaven, its bliss to share, 
Fulness of joy for ever there. 

SPEAK, O Lord, for thy servants hear: we are thy ser- 
vants ; grant us understanding that we may know thy 
testimonies. Incline our hearts to the words of thy mouth ; 
let thy speech distil as dew. Thou, O Lord God, art the 
inspirer and enlightener of all the prophets. Wonderfully 
do they speak; but, if thou be silent, they inflame not the 
heart. They declare thy commandments ; but thou help- 
est us to fulfil them. They point out the way ; but thou 
givest strength to walk in it. Let not thy word be heard 
by us and not fulfilled,-known and not loved, believed and 
not obeyed. Speak thou therefore unto us, O Lord, to the 
comfort of our souls, and to the amendment of our whole 
lives ; that thy peace may dwell in our hearts, and that in 
all things we may approve ourselves in thy sight as faithful 
disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

199 



JULY 18. 



AXD Jesus asked his disciples, saying unto them, 
Whom do men say that I am ? 
And they answered. John the Baptist : but some say, 
Elias : and others. One of the prophets. 

And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am ? 
And Peter answereth and saith unto him. Thou an the 
Christ. 

And he be2:an to teach them, that the Son of man must 
suffer many things, and be rejected cf the elders, ana of 
the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three 
davs rise a2:ain. 

And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, 
and began to rebuke him. 

But when he had turned about and looked on his disci- 
ples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me. Satan : 
for thou savorest not the things that be of God, bu: the 
things that be of men. 

Warrior I to thy duty stand, 

Fairhful to th)' Captain's call ; 
With the shield of faith in hand, 

Fearless, though th}^ comrades falh 
Nothing nil thee vrith dismay, — 
Hunger, y: length of way; 
In thy leacer s vicrory boast : 
Never, never leave thy post. 

OTHOU whose eternal counsels are innnite vdsdom, 
vdiose purposes are unfathomable love : hll us with 
that faith which shall overcome the world; with that love 
of Christ, from which neither tribulation, nor distress, no; 
peril, nor persecution shall separate us : vrith that love of 
God, which passeth all understanding : thus redeeming 
and sanctifying us to the praise of thy glorious grace. O 
God, our Father, look upon us in thy tender love. Paodon 
our sins. Lead us to true repentance. Incline our hearts 
to see our faults ; that, seeing, w^e may repent truly and 
sincerely. Help us always to obey thee. Help us to fol- 
low the teachings of thy w^ord and of conscience. Keep 
us in the right way, and save us from evil, ^^'e pray as 
disciples of the dear Redeemer. Amen. 

200 



JULY 19. 




AVE me, O God ; for the waters are come In unto my 
soul. 



I will offer my prayer unto thee, 0 Lord : O God, in 
the greatness of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy 
salvation. 

Let not the water-flood overflow me, neither let the 
deep swallow me up, and let not the grave shut her mouth 
upon me. 

Hear me, O Lord; for thy loving-kindness is good: 
turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mer- 
cies. 

And hide not thy face from thy servant ; for I am in 
trouble : hear me speedily. 

When tempests toss, and billows roll, 
And lightnings rend from pole to pole, 

Sweet is the thought to me, 
That one day it shall not be so : 
In the bright ^Yorld to which I go, 
The tempests shall forget to blow, 

There shall be no more sea. 

My Pilot tells me not to fear. 
But trust entirely to his care ; 

And he will guarantee, 
If only I depend on him, 
To land me safe in his good time, 
In yonder purer, happier clime, 

Where shall be no more sea. 

OGOD, who forsakest none that place their confidence 
in thee : we pray thee, through thy Fatherly good- 
ness and through Jesus thy beloved Son, give us a child- 
like trust in thee, and a constant mistrust in ourselves, 
that, in all our needs, anxieties, and dangers, we may seek 
thee as our refuge ; for thou knowest what is needful for 
us, and thou canst best help us. To thy loving-kindness 
we commit ourselves and all who are dear to us. Grant 
only, O holy Father, that we may never displease thee, but 
may always be faithful to our duty, wdiile we wait with 
patience for the issues of thy gracious and all-wise provi- 
dence. Amen. 

201 



JULY 20. 



BUT be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, de- 
ceiving your own selves. 
For if any be a hearer of tlie word, and not a doer, he is 
like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass : 

For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and 
straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of libert}^, and 
continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a 
doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father 
is this. To visit the fatherless and widows in their afflic- 
tion, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. 

Ok, he whom Jesus loved has truly spoken ! 

The holier worship, which God deigns to bless, 
Restores the lost, and heals the spirit-broken, 

And feeds the widow and the fatherless. 

Then, brother man, fold to thy heart thy brother ! 

For where love dwells, the peace of God is there ; 
To worship rightly is to love each other ; 

Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer. 

Follow, with reverent steps, the great example 
Of him whose holy work was doing good : 

So shall the wide earth seem our Father's temple, 
Each loving life a psalm of gratitude. 

OLORD, the giver of eternal life, who liftest out of 
death and shame all faithful servants of thy truth, 
and settest even their humanity on high : give us grace 
always to contend for the right, and, if needs be, to suffer 
for it. Oh, lift us unto newness of life, and let us love 
thee and dwell with thee for ever. O thou who hast taught 
us that not the hearers of the word, but the doers, are jus- 
tified in thy sight, send us forth with such growth in grace, 
that all our thoughts and words shall henceforth be more 
in harmony with thy gracious will ; and let thine almighty 
blessing be upon our uprising and our lying down,, and 
upon our going out and coming in, now and for evermore. 
Amen. 



202 



JULY 21. 



OOLS make a mock at sin : but among the righteous 



there is favor. The heart knoweth his own bitter- 



ness : and a stranger cloth not intermeddle with his joy. 

In all labor there is profit. A true witness delivereth 
souls. In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence. 

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from 
the snares of death. 

He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but 
he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. 

A sound heart is the life of the flesh. 

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: 
but he that honoreth him hath mercy on the poor. 



Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go, 
My daily labor to pursue ; 
Thee, only thee, resolved to know, 
In all I think or speak or do. 

The task thy wisdom hath assigned, 
Oh ! let me cheerfully fulfil ; 
In all thy works thy presence find, 
And prove thy good and perfect will. 

Give me to bear thy easy yoke, 
And every moment watch and pray ; 
And still to things eternal look, 
And hasten to thy glorious day. 



GIVER of all good, from whom all holy thoughts and 
desires proceed : grant us by thy inspiration thoughts 
that are pure and true. Mercifully consider our infirmities j 
turn us from those evils that most justly we have deserved, 
and grant that in all trouble we may trust in thy mercy, 
and evermore serve thee faithfully. O Lord God of heaven 
and earth, for those who belong to us may we neither be 
without care, nor yet taken up with care as if we had not 
thee to care for us. But let us assure ourselves that thou 
wilt be our God, and the God of our children ; and wilt 
not leave them destitute of earthly blessings, for whom thou 
hast provided an eternal inheritance. With this confidence 
may we go on our way with cherfulness, fulfilling every 
duty as it arises, and leaving all events trustfully to thee, 
our merciful God and Father. Amen. 




JULY 22. 



WHAT doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he 
hath faith, and have not works ? can faith save 
him ? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily 
food, and one of you say unto tliem. Depart in peace, be ye 
warmed and filled ; notwithstanding ye give them not those 
things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit ? 
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works : 
shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee 
my faith by my works. 

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith with- 
out works is dead also. 

Walk with the Lord ! along the road 

He will your strength renew ! 
Wait on the everListing God, 

And he will wait on you. 

Ye shall not faint, ye shall not fail, 

Still in the Spirit strong; 
Each task divine ye still shall hail. 

And blend the exulting song. 

Your wondrous portion shall be this, 

Your life below, above : 
Eternal youth, eternal bliss, 

And everlasting love. 

O FATHER, dispose us to sincere sympathy with all 
men, not only to see extraordinary excellence with 
joy, but to take pleasure in the humblest improvements of 
our fellow-creatures and in the beginnings of everlasting 
life within them. Incline us to respect the feelings of 
others, so that we may never wound nor tempt nor de- 
press a human being. May the labors of life become acts 
of religion and offerings to thee, by their conscientiousness, 
purity of motive, and devotedness to thy will of perfect 
good. May our sense of thy presence be ever more clear, 
our conceptions of thy character more bright, our gratitude 
more tender, our love of exalted virtue more generous, our 
good-will more overflowing. May a divine life be evei 
growing within us. And to thee be ascribed all praise for 
ever. Amen. 

204 



JULY 23. 



LET God arise, and his enemies are scattered : and they 
that hate him fiee before him. 
But the righteous are glad; they rejoice before God: yea, 
they exceedingly rejoice. 

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name : extol him that 
rideth through the wilderness ; Jehovah is his name ; rejoice 
before him. A Father of the fatherless, and a Judge of 
the widows, is God in his holy habitation. 

God setteth the solitary in families : he bringeth to pros- 
perity those which are bound with chains : but the rebel- 
lious dwell in a barren land. 

Go not far from me, O my Strength, 

Whom all my times obey ; 
Take from me any thing thou wilt, 

But go not thou away, — 
And let the storm that does thy work 

Deal with me as it may. 

Safe in thy sanctifying grace, 

Almighty to restore ; 
Borne onward, — sin and death behind, 

And love and life before^ — 
Oh ! let my soul abound in hope. 

And praise thee more and more ! 

OTHOU whose eye is over all the children of men, and 
who hast called them, by thy Prince of peace, into a 
kingdom not of this world : send forth his spirit speedily 
into the dark places of our guilt and woe, and arm it with 
the piercing power of thy grace. May it reach the heart 
of eveiy oppression, and make arrogancy dumb before thee. 
Let it still the noise of our strife, and the tumult of the 
people j put to shame the false idols of every mind ; carry 
faith to the doubting, hope to the fearful, strength to the 
weak, light to the mourner ; and more and more increase 
the pure in heart who see their God. Commit thy word, 
O Lord, to the lips of faithful men, or the free winds of 
thine invisible providence ; that soon the knowledge of 
thee may cover the earth, as the water covers the chan- 
nels of the deep. And so let thy kingdom come through 
Jesus Christ thy Son. Amen. 



JULY 24. 



JESUS taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and 
leadeth them up into a high mountain apart by them- 
selves : and he was transligTired before them. 

And his raiment became shinins:. exceedins: white as 
snow : so as no fuller on eanh can white them. 

And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses : and 
they were talking with Jesus. 

And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good 
for us to be here : and let us make three tabernacles : one 
for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 

For he ^ist not what to say : for they were sore afraid. 
And there was a cloud that oversh?.d:^wed them : and a 
voice came out of the cloud, sapng, Tl::s is my beloved Son i 
hear him. 

Yet high above the limits of my seeing. 

And folded far -R-ithin the inmost heart, 
And deep below the deeps of conscious being. 

Thy splendor shineth ; there, O God, thou art. 

I cannot lose thee ! Still in thee abiding, 
The end is clear, how wide so e'er I roam : 

The law that holds the worlds mv steps is guiding, 
And I mast rest at last in thee, my home. 

OF AT HER, make strong within us. we beseech thee, 
the hope of the immortal life. Purifying our hearts, 
mav we enjoy even now that kingdom of heaven which is 
not meat and drink ; but is righteousness, joy, and peace in 
the Holy Spirit Here on eardi may we, by the various 
steps of jo}' and sorrow, mount up to that high dwelling-place 
where we may taste those joys which heart hath not con- 
ceived, but which thy Spirit creates for every earnest and 
noble and aspiring soul. We pray thee that our daily lives 
may be a gospel unto men. !May we cherish such divine 
sentinients, and ever speak such brave, true words, as shall 
be a prophecy of better things to come. So may thy will 
be done on eardi as it is in heaven. Amen. 



JULY 25. 



BEHOLD, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will 
make a new covenant with you : And this shall be 
the covenant that I will make with you ; 

I wdll put my law in your in^^•arcl parts, and write it in 
your hearts ; and will be your God, and you shall be my 
people. 

And vou shall teach no more everv man his nei2:hbor, 
and eveiy man his brother, saying, Know the Lord : for 
you shall all knovv' me, from the least of you unto the 
greatest of you, saith the Lord : for I will forgive your ini- 
quity, and I will remember your sin no more. 

Oh, how I fear thee, living God I 

With deepest, tenderest fears, 
And worship thee with trembling hope, 

And penitential tears. 
Yet I may love thee too, O Lord ! 

Almighty as thou art ; 
For thou hast stooped to ask of me 

The love of my poor heart. 

Xo earthly father loves like thee ; 

Xo mother half so mild 
Bears and forbears as thou hast done 

With me thy sinful child. 
Only to sit and think of God, 

Oil, what a joy it is I 
To think the thought, to breathe the name, — 

Earth has no higher bliss. 

OGOD, let us not linger at the threshold of Christian- 
it}': conduct us into its inmost depths of life. Help 
us to break through the obstacles, the doubts, the despond- 
ency, lethargy, weakness, which hinder us. Open in us 
an unquenchable aspiration for truth and virtue. Give us 
a spirit of rational. filiaL strong, unreserved, triumphant, 
glad obedience. Give us perfect confidence in thee, whose 
laws are the dictates of fatherly wisdom and love, and who 
dost delight in the purit}' and glory of thy children. Dis- 
pose us to see thy goodness everywhere. — not only when 
descending upon us, but when dift\ised abroad. — so that 
we may discern the love which peiwades the universe and 
quickens all spirits. Amen. 

207 



JULY 26. 



SACRIFICE and offering thou didst not desire ; so 
hast thou taught me : burnt-offering and sin-offering 
hast thou not required. 

I dehght to do thy will, O my God : yea, thy law is 
within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the 
great congregation : lo, I have not refrained my lips, O 
Lord, thou knowest. 

I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart ; I have 
declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation : I have not 
concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth from the great 
congregation. 

Sexd down thy truth, O God ! 

Too long the shadows frown ; 
Too long the darkened way we've trod : 

The truth, O Lord I send down. 

Send down thy love, thy life, 

Our lesser lives to crown, 
And cleanse them of their hate and strife :• 

Thy living love send down. 

Send down thy peace, O Lord ! 

Earth's bitter voices drown 
In one deep ocean of accord : 

Thy peace, O God ! send down. 

OGOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind : we 
humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of 
men ; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways 
known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. 
More especially we pray for the good estate of the church 
universal ; that it may be so guided and governed by thy 
good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves 
Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the 
faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in right- 
eousness of life. FinaUy, we commend to thy Fatherly 
goodness all those who are any ways afflicted or distressed, 
in mind, body, or estate : that it may please thee to com- 
fort and relieve them according to their several necessities, 
giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy 
issue out of all their afflictions. And this we humbly ask 
as disciples of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

208 



JULY 27. 



THOU wilt swallow up death in victoiy ; and the Lord 
God will wipe aAvay tears from off all faces ; and 
the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the 
earth : for the Lord hath spoken it. 

When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, 
and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear 
them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. 

I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the 
midst of the valleys : I will make the wilderness a pool of 
water, and the dry land springs of water j 

That they may see, and know, and consider, and under- 
stand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, 
and the Holy One of Israel hath created it. 

O BLESSED life ! the heart at rest, 

When all without tumultuous seems ; 
That trusts a higher will, and deems 

That higher will, not mine, the best : 

O blessed life ! heart, mind, and soul 
From self-born aims and wishes free, 
In all at one with Deity, 

And loyal to the Lord's control : 

O life ! how blessed ! how divine ! 

High life, the earnest of a higher : 

Father ! fulfil my deep desire. 
And let this blessed life be mine ! 

OTHOU to whom belong mercies and forgiveness: 
receive our humble petitions ; and, though we be 
bound with the chain of our sins, yet in the pitifulness of 
thy great mercy, O Lord, help us, we beseech thee, that we 
may be set free, and be admitted to the glorious liberty of 
the sons of God, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. If thou 
wert strict to mark iniquity, O Lord, who could stand? 
May we so remember our sins as to forsake them; and 
then do thou remember them no more. Hide not thine 
ear at our breathing, at our cry. Thou, O God, hast 
pleaded the cause of our souls ; thou hast redeemed our 
life. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; his 
mercy endureth for ever. Amen. 



N 



209 



JULY 28. 



THOU visitest the earth, and waterest it : thou greatly 
enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of 

water : 

Thou crownest the year with thy goodness ; and thy 
paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the 
wilderness : and the little hills rejoice on every side. 

The pastures are clothed with flocks ; the valleys also 
are covered with corn ; they shout for joy ; they also sing 

All around us, fair with flowers, 

Fields of beauty sleeping lie ; 
All around us clarion voices 

Call to duty stern and high. 

Thankfully we will rejoice in 

All the beauty God has given ; 
But beware it does not win us 

From the work ordained of Heaven. 

Following every voice of mercy 
With a trusting, loving heart,, 
. Let us in life's earnest labor 
Still be sure to do our part 

Now, to-day, and not to-morrow, 

Let us work with all our might. 
Lest the wretched faint and perish 
In the coming stormy night. 

Now, to-day, and not to-morrow, — 

Lest, before to-morrow's sun, 
We too, mournfully departing, 

Shall have left our work undone. 

OGOD, the Author of nature, the Source of all power, 
wisdom, and happiness ; whose energy sustains, 
whose presence animates, and whose gracious influence 
blesses, the universe : assist us, we beseech thee, to form 
worthy apprehensions of thy nature and character, and, as 
far as our faculties will permit, to become acquainted with 
thy perfections and providence. And let our conceptions 
of thee produce in us the sentiments of veneration, grati- 
tude, and submission, and lead us to a diligent imitation of 
thy moral perfections, and a constant obedience to thy 
laws, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. 

2 10 



JULY 29. 



THE seed is the word of God. 
Those by the way-side are they that hear ; then com- 
eth the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, 
lest they should believe and be saved. 

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, re- 
ceive the word with joy ; and these have no root, which for 
a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when 
they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and 
riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to per- 
fection. 

But that on the good ground, are they, which in an hon- 
est and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and 
bring forth fruit with patience. 

In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold 
not thy hand ; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper 
this or that, or whether they both alike shall be good. 



Thou canst not toil in vain : 
Cold, heat, and moist and dry, 

Shall foster and mature the grain 
For garners in the sky. 

Then when the glorious end, 
The day of God, shall come, 

The angel-reapers shall descend 
At heaven's great harvest-home. 



ALMIGHTY and everlasting God: give unto us the 
increase of faith, hope, and charity; and may we 
not only obtain that which thou dost promise, but also love 
that which thou dost command. O thou, who dost teach 
the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the 
light of thy Holy Spirit : grant us by the same Spirit to 
have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to re- 
joice in thy holy comfort. O God, whose promises exceed 
all that we could desire or understand : grant us, we be- 
seech thee, the greatest of all blessings, — thy love shed 
abroad in our hearts, that we may render to thee a ready 
and joyful obedience as true disciples of thy Son Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 




211 



JULY 30. 



AXD when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there 
came unto hmi a centurion beseeching him, and 
saying, Lord, my servant heth at home, sick of the palsy, 
and sfrievouslv tormented. 

And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 
The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not wor- 
thy that thou shouldst come under my roof; bur speak the 
word only, and my servant shall be healed. 

For I am a man under authorit}^, having soldiers under 
me j and I say unto this man. Go, and he goeth ; and to 
another. Come, and he cometh ; and to my servant, Do this, 
and he doeth it. 

When Jesus heard it, he man-elied, and said to them 
that followed. Verily I say unto you, I have not found so 
great faith, no, not in Israel. 

O Love, how cheering is thy ray I 

All pain before thy presence riies ; 
Care, anguish, sorrow, melt a^vav 

Where'er thy healing beams arise ; 
O Father ! nothing, may I see, 
■ And naught desire or seek, but thee. 

Unwearied may I this pursue, 

Dauntless to this high prize aspire ; 

Each hour within my soul renew 
This holy flame, this heavenly fire ; 

And day and night be all my care 
To guard the sacred treasure there. 

OTHOU who alone art just and good, help of the 
helpless, and Father of all souls : we give thee grate- 
ful thanks for thy forbearance and mercy to thy sinful chil- 
dren. Burdened with a sense of shortcoming and sin, suf- 
fering with the bitter reproach of conscience for mongs com- 
mitted and duties neglected, we fly to thee. Thy gi'ace 
is sufficient for our eveiy need. Thou canst make our 
souls a habitation of peace, penetrating ever}'- recess with 
thy tender love. Oh ! speak the word, thy servants shall be 
healed. Amen. 



2 1 2 



JULY 31. 



BLESSEJ^ is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose 
sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto v;hom the 
Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in wliose spirit there is no 
guile. 

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have 
I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto 
the Lord ; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. 

]\Iany sorrows shall be to the wicked : but he that trust- 
eth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. 

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous : and shout 
for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. 

There is no place where earth^'s sorrows 

Are more felt than up in heaven : 
There is no place where earth's failings 

Have such kindly judgment given. 
For the love of God is broader 

Than the measures of man's mind, 
And the heart of the Eternal 

Is most wonderfully kind. 

For we make his love too narrow 

By false limits of our own ; 
And we magnify his strictness 

With a zeal he will not own. 
If our love were but more simple, 

We should take him at his word ; 
And our lives would be all sunshine 

In the sweetness of our Lord. 

AL^MIGHTY and most merciful Father : we have erred 
and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have 
followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. 
We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left un- 
done those things which we ought to have done j and we 
have done those things which w^e ought not to have done. 
But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare thou them, 
O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou them that 
are penitent j according to thy promises declared unto 
mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most 
merciful Father, that through him we may hereafter live a 
godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy 
name. Amen. 



AUGUST 1. 



THE hour Cometh, when ye shall neither m this moun« 
tain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. The 
hour Cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall 
worship the Father in spirit and in truth : for the Father 
seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit : and they 
that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath 
made us free, and be not entangled again in the yoke o? 
bondage. 

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righte- 
ousness : for they shall be filled. 

Oh for freedom, for freedom in worshipping God ; 

For the mountain-top freedom of generous souls, — 
For the wealth, for the air, of the hearts deep and broad, 

Where grace not in rills, but in cataracts rolls ! 

Most good is the brisk, wholesome service of fear, 
And the calm wise obedience of conscience is sweet ; 

And good are all worships, all loyalties dear, 
All promptitudes fitting, all services meet. 

But none honors God like the thirst of desire, 
Nor possesses the heart so completely with him ; 

For it burns the world out with the swift ease of fire, 
And fills life with good works till it runs o'er the brim. 

OTHOU whose throne is in the heavens, and whose 
kingdom is from everlasting : every moment thy grace 
attends us, and blessings descend upon us without ceasing. 
Oh ! build thine altar in our hearts, and let the incense of our 
gratitude ascend for ever. Thou hast given us the liberty 
to worship thee according to the dictates of our conscience, 
with none to molest us or make us afraid. Oh ! shed into 
our souls thy Spirit, O Lord ; for where thy Spirit is there 
is liberty. Let not wealth and pleasure be our idols ; but 
may we be that happy people whose God is the Lord. 
May thy truth and thy service make us free indeed. Thine, 
O Lord, is the might and majesty and dominion for ever. 
Amen. 



214 



AUGUST 2. 



IT is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to 
sing praises unto thy name, O isLost High. 
To show forth tliy lo\'ing-kindness in the morning, and 
thy faithfuhiess every night. 

For thou, Lord, hast made me glad tlirough thy work : I 
will triumph in the works of thy hands. 

O Lord, how great are thy works ! and thy thoughts are 
very deep. The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree : 
he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 

Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall 
flourish in the courts of our God ; to show that the Lord is 
upright : he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in 
him. 

Thou, Lord, who rear'st the mountain's height, 
And mak'st the cliffs with sunshine bright, 
Oh, grant that we may oayu thy hand 
No less in every gi'ain of sand ! 

Teach us that not a leaf can grow 
Till life from thee within it flow ; 
That not a grain of dust can be, 
O Fount of being ! save by thee ; 

That every human word and deed, 
Each flash of feeling, will, or creed, 
Hath solemn meaning from above, 
Begun and ended all in love. 

OLORD, set us where thou wilt, and deal ^vith us in 
all things just as thou wilt. Behold, we are thy ser- 
vants, prepared for all things ; for w^e desire not to live 
unto ourselves, but unto thee ; and oh, that w^e could do it 
worthily and perfectly ! Grant to us, above all things that 
can be desired, to rest in thee and in thee to have our 
hearts at peace. Blessed be thou, our God ; for, although 
we be unworthy of any benefits, yet thy noble bounty and 
infinite love never cease to do good, even to the ufigrateful, 
and to those who are turned far away from thee. Turn 
thou us unto thee, that we may be thankful, humble, and 
devout. Amen 

. 215 



AUGUST 3. 



SING unto the Lord ; for he hath done excellent things : 
this is known in all the earth. Come ye, and let us 
go up to the mountain of the Lord ; and he will teach us 
of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. 

He shall judge among the nations, and govern the peo- 
ple ; and they shall beat their swords into plough-shares, 
and their spears into pruning-hooks. 

Nation shall not lift up the sword against nation, neither 
shall they learn war any more. 

"Workman of God ! oh, lose not heart, 

But learn what God is like ; 
And in the darkest battle-field 

Thou shalt know where to strike. 
Thrice blest is he to whom is given 

The instinct that can tell 
That God is on the field when he 

Is most invisible. 

Blest, too, is he who can divine 

Where real right, doth lie, 
And dares to take the side that seems 

Wrong to man's blindfold eye. 
For right is right, since God is God, 

And right the day must win : 
To doubt would be disloyalty ; 

To falter would be sin. 

GIVER of life : we dedicate our lives to thee. As a 
faithful father admonishes his children, thou, Lord, 
hast warned us against all wrong and harm. And for our 
sakes, that our hearts might be touched, that the chains of 
sin might be broken, and the gloom of the grave dispelled, 
Jesus Christ hath come, filled with the Spirit and breathing 
the love of the Universal Father. Father of the spirits of 
all flesh, thou who hast made us all of one blood : we desire 
the good of all men. Scatter the clouds of ignorance ; 
break asunder the bands of sin ; rebuke the folly and 
wickedness of man ; and inspire all with that reverence 
for thy truth, and regard for thy law, which will make them 
truly free. Incline them to break every yoke : and pro- 
claim freedom and light and good-w^ill to all who sit in dark- 
ness. Amen. 

216 



AUGUST 4, 



O WORSHIP the Lord in the beauty of holiness : fear 
before him, all the earth. 
Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth ; the 
world shall stand firm, it shall not be moved: he shall 
judge the people righteously. 

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad ; let 
the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. 

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein : then shall 
all the trees of the wood rejoice. 

Before the Lord ; for he cometh, for he cometh to judge 
the earth : he shall judge the world with righteousness, and 
the people with his truth. 

Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause dark- 
ness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, 
and, while ye look for light he turn it into the shadow of 
death. 

Be thou, O God, by niglit, by day, 

My guide, my guard from sin, 
My life, my trust, my light divine 

To keep me pure within ; — 

Pure as the air when day's first light 

A cloudless sky illumes ; 
And active as the lark that soars 

Till heaven shines round its plumes s 

So may my soul upon the wings 

Of faith unwearied rise, 
Till at the gate of heaven it sings, 

'Midst light from Paradise. 

OGOD, who showest thyself the Father of our spirits, 
not fashioned in stone, nor bound by temples made 
with hands, but dwelling in man's heart, yet filling the 
heavens with thy majesty : grant us the grace of meek- 
ness, in humility to fulfil all righteousness ; and so baptize 
us in thy Holy Spirit, and so. enable us to offer our lives 
in the sacrament of charity, that we may praise thee in 
heart, and worship thee with understanding ; while thou 
givest us in godliness the blessing of the truth, which is 
now and of that which shall be eternal. Amen, 



217 



AUGUST 5. 



FOR my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are 
your ways my ways, sairh the Lord. For as the 
heavens are higher than the earth, so are mv ways higher 
than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, 
and retm-neth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh 
it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, 
and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goerh 
forth out of my mouth : it shall not rettum unto me void, 
but it .shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall 
prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Thy word. O Lord, like gentle dews, 

Falls soft on hearts tnat nine; 
Lord, to thy garden ne"er refuse 

This henveniv balm of thine. 
Watered from thee, iet everv tree 
Bud forth and bless :rn to thy praise, 
And bear much fruit in after days. 

Thy word a wondrous guiding star 

On pilgrim hearts doth rise, 
Leads to their Lord who dwells afar, 

And makes the simple wise. 
Let not its light e'er sink in night, 
But still in every spirit shine, 
That none may miss the light divine. 

GOD, our heavenly Father, quicken in us, we beseech 
thee, every good and pure thought, and strengthen 
us in our devout resolves this day. Let no unhallowed 
words pollute the tongues which thou hast made to praise 
and bless thee j no evil action deiiie the sanctuaries which 
thou hast, in thy wondrous mercy, chosen for thyself. 
Remove whatever in us may be a hindrance to holy li\dng. 
or a stumblinsf-block in another's wav. iNLiv our trust in 
thee, and our kindness to one another, never fail. INLiy 
we bring to thee not only a humble spirit of obedience, but 
also great love. O Lord God, make us what thou wouldest 
have us to be, and may we do what thou wouldest have us 
to do; only be thou ever with us to cleanse and renevr. to 
teach, mle, and sustain us, till at last we come to thee, to 
dwell for ever with thee and thy saints in light. Amen. 



AUGUST 6. 



WE glory in tribulations ; knowing that tribulation 
worketh patience ; and patience, experience j and 
experience, hope : 

And hope maketh not ashamed j because the love of 
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which 
is given unto us. 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ : for it is 
the powder of God unto salvation to every one that be- 
lieveth ; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 

For therein is the ri2:hteousness of God revealed from 
faith to faith : as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against aL 
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the 
truth in unrighteousness. 

Thou'rt with me, O my Father, 

At early dawn of day ; 
It is thy glory brighteneth 

The upward streaming ray. 
It calls me by its beauty 

To rise and worship thee ; 
I feel thy glorious presence, 

Thy face I may not see. 

Thou'rt with me, O my Father, 

In changing scenes of life. 
In loneliness of spirit, 

In weariness of strife. 
My sufferings, my comforts, 

Alternate at thy will : 
I trust thee, O my Father, 

I trust thee, and am still. 

OGOD, who hast in divers manners manifested th 
truth amongst the nations, mercifully grant that we 
may have the enjoyment of thy nearer presence, and know 
thee according to the grace and truth w^iich dwelt in Jesus 
Christ thy Son. Grant us grace to learn that by the Spirit 
of our God is understanding ; and raise us up by thy powder, 
and with thy great might succor us, that, being delivered 
from an evil mind, and enlightened by thy Holy Spirit, we 
may both know our duty and perform the same to thy 
honor, who art our living strength and our Lord. x\men. 

219 



AUGUST 7. 



TAKE, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in 
the name of the Lord, for an example of suffermg 
affliction, and of patience. 

Behold, we count them happ}^ which endure. Ye have 
heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the 
Lord ; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 

Is any among you afflicted ? let him pray. Is any merry ? 
^et him sing psalms. 

Is any sick among you ? 

The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord 
shall raise him up ; and if he have committed sins, they 
shall be forgiven him. 

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for 
another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent 
prayer of a righteous m^i availeth much. 

Why should I murmur ? for the sorrow 
Thus only longer lived would be ; . ' 

Its end may come, and will, to-morrow, 
When God has done his work in me ; 

So I say, trusting, — As God will ! 

And, trusting to the end, hold still. 

He kindles, for my profit purel}^, 

AfEiction's glowing, fiery brand ; 
And all his heaviest blows are surely 

Inflicted by a Master hand : 
So I say, praying, — As God will ! 
And hope in him, and suffer still. 

MAY every day, O our Father, add brightness and 
energy to our conceptions of thy lovely and glorious 
character. Give us a deeper sense of thy presence, and 
instruct us to nourish our devoutness by eveiy scene of 
nature and every event of Providence. Assist us to con- 
secrate our whole being and existence to thee ; our under- 
standings to the knowledge of thy character, our hearts to 
the veneration and love of thy perfections, our wills to the 
choice of thy commands, our active energies to the ac- 
complishment of thy purposes, every power to the imitation 
of thy goodness, and our lives to thy glory. Be thou the 
centre, life, and sovereign of our souls. Amen. 



AUGUST 8. 



BOW down thine ear, 0 Lord, hear me : for I am poor 
and needy. 

Preserve my soul ; 0 thou my God, save thy servant that 
trusteth m thee. 

Be merciful unto me, O Lord : for I cry unto thee daily. 

Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, 
do I lift up my soul. 

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive ; and 
plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. 

Give ear, O Lord, unto my -prayer; and attend to the 
voice of my supplication. 

Lead, kindly Light ! amid the encirchng gloom, 

Lead thou me on ! 
The night is dark, and I am far from home : 

Lead thou me on ! 
Keep thou my feet ; I do not ask to see 
The distant scene, — one step enough for me. 

So long thy power hath blest me, sure it still 

AVill lead me on. 
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till 

The night is gone ; 
And with the morn those angel faces smile 
AYhich I have loved long since, and lost awhile. 

7E bow before thee, O God, in faith and trust. In 



thy hand is our life. We rejoice to believe that 
thou doest all things well ; that life and death come alike 
by thy will, and both are for good and not for evil. We 
thank thee for the comfort of the gospel ; that it brings 
life and immortalit}^ to light ; for its assurance that in thy 
house are many mansions prepared for all that love thee. 
O Father, comfort those that are in sorrow, and enable them 
to say, Thy will be done. Help us to live purely and truly 
before thee : so that each one shall be ready for thy simi- 
mons to the better w^orld, and. go not with grief, but with 
joyful tnist. Help us to live now^ in the spirit of him who 
was ready to die for truth and for humanity, that men 
mi2:ht live better lives on earth and die in a brio-hter and 
surer hope of heaven. Amen. 




221 



AUGUST 9. 




ENCEFORTH I call you not servants ; for the ser- 
vant knoweth not what his lord doeth : but I have 



called you friends ; for all things that I have heard of my 
Father I have made known unto you. 

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and or- 
dained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and 
that your fruit should remain ; that whatsoever ye shall 
ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 

These things I command you, that ye love one another. 
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it 
hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love 
his own ; but because ye are not of the world, but I have 
chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth 
you. 

Heavenly Father ! to whose eye 
Future things unfolded lie, 
Through the desert when I stray, 
Let thy counsels guide my way. 

Lord ! uphold me day by day ; 
Shed a light upon my way ; 
Guide me through perplexing snares ; 
Care for me in all my cares. 

Should thy wisdom, Lord, decree 
Trials long and sharp for me, — 
Pain or sorrow, care or shame, — 
Father ! glorify thy name. 

Let me neither faint nor fear, 
Feeling still that thou art near ; 
In the course my Saviour trod, 
Tending home to thee, my God. 

O ETERNAL Father, fill our souls, we beseech thee, 
with so deep a sense of the excellences of spiritual 
and heavenly things, that, our affections being weaned 
from the vanities of the world and the false allurements 
of sin, we may, with clear resolutions and a free spirit, have 
our conversation in heaven ; remembering that we are but 
pilgrims and strangers here, and seeking a country, even 
that blessed home which our Saviour is gone to prepare 
for us. Amen. 

222 



AUGUST 10. 



I MUST work the works of him that sent me, while it is 
day : the night cometh, when no man can work. 
As long as I am in the world. I am the light of the 
world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, 
and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of 
the blind man with the clay. 

And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, 
(which is by interpretation, Sent). He went his way there- 
fore, and washed, and came seeing. 

Oh ! cleanse us that we sin no more ; 
O'er parched souls thy waters pour ; 
Heal the sad heart that acheth sore. 
Thy will be ours in all our ways ; 
Oh ! melt the frozen with thy rays ; 
Call home the lost in error's maze. 

And grant us, Lord, who cry to thee, 

And hold the faith in unity, 
Thy precious gifts of charity ; 
That we may live in holiness, 
And find in death our happiness. 
And dwell with thee in lasting bliss. 

HEAR our prayers, O Lord, and may it please thee to 
establish thy truth on earth as it is in heaven. De- 
fend us from dangerous enemies of the soul ; and make 
us persevere in all good works. Give us inward armor 
against evil thoughts and passions. Let thy mercy and 
pity keep us safe. Grant us the will and power to repent 
in earnest. Give us pardon and entire escape from all our 
sins. And oh ! send us a right faith, firm hope in thy good- 
ness, and that perfect love of thee that casteth out fear. 
May it please thee to remove from us hatred and envy, and 
all evil thoughts. Pour into our souls the grace of thy Holy 
Spirit, and send us perpetual light. May it please thee to 
give us a useful life and happy end, and bring us to ever- 
lasting joys. Grant thine aid to those who are running 
their course ; give compunction to the negligent, fervor of 
spirit to the lukewarm, and unto us all a good consumma- 
tion. Amen. 



223 



AUGUST n. 



FOR thou. O God. hast proved us : thou hast tried us, 
as silver is tried. Come and hear, all ye that fear 
God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. 

I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled 
w-ith my tongue. 

If I regard iniquit}' in my heart, the Lord will not hear 
me : but verily God hath heard me ; he hath attended to 
the voice of my prayer. 

Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, 
nor his mercv from me. 

Voices are round me ; smiles are near ; 

Kind welcomes to be had : 
And yet my spirit is alone. 

Fretful, outworn, and sad. 

Sweet thought of God. now do thy work 

As thou hast done before ; 
Wake up, and tears will wake with thee, 

And the dull mood be o'er. 

The very thinking of the thought, 

Without or praise or prayer, 
Gives light to know, and life to do, 

And maiwellous strength to bear. 

OLORD God, thou art our refuge and our hope: on 
thee alone we rest ; for we find all to be weak and 
insufficient but thee. ]SIany friends cannot profit nor 
strong helpers assist, nor prudent counsellors advise, nor 
the books of the learned afford comfort, nor any precious 
substance deliver, nor any place give shelter, unless thou 
thyself dost assist, strengthen, console, instruct, and guard 
us. To thee, therefore, do we lift up our eyes j in thee, 
our God, the Father of mercies, do we put our.trust. Bless 
and sanctify our souls, that they may become thy holy 
habitation, and the seat of thine eternal glory ; and let 
nothing be found in us displeasing in thy sight. Protect 
and keep us amidst all dangers j and, accompanpng us by 
thy grace, direct us along the way of peace to thine ever- 
lasting home. Amen. 



224 



AUGUST 12. 



VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not 
by the door into the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some 
other wav, the same is a thief and a robber. 

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of 
the sheep. To him the porter openeth ; and the sheep hear 
his voice : and he calleth his own sheep by name, and 
leadeth them out. 

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth be- 
fore them, and the sheep follow him : for they know his voice. 

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him ; 
for they know not the voice of strangers. 

This parable spake Jesus unto them ; but they understood 
not what things they were which he spake unto them. 

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say 
unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 

The Lord my shepherd is, 

And he my soul will keep ; 
He knoweth who are his, 

And watcheth o'er his sheep : 
Away with every anxious fear, 
I cannot want while he is near. 

His wisdom doth provide 

The pasture where I feed ; 
Where the still waters glide 

Along the quiet mead, 
He leads my feet ; and, when I roam, 
O'ertakes and brings the wanderer home, 

GOD of our lives, the night and the day are thine. The 
events of the coming hours are in thy hand. Fill 
us with child-like obedience and trust. May we rest on 
thee, and accept thy guidance through the unknown trials 
and temptations of the opening day. Help us to believe 
that our lives are ordered by thy love ; that thou knowest 
our path ; and that now, as in times past, our strength shall 
be equal to our need. Be not far from us ; uphold and 
comfort us by thy spiritual presence. May we obey thy 
holy laws, lean on thy faithful providence, and live in love, 
till the evening shadows fall, and we rest again under thy 
tender care. Bless us now and evermore. Amen, 
o 225 



AUGUST 13. 



I AM the door : by me if any man enter in he shall be 
saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 
The thief cometh not, l)ut for to steal, and to kill, and to 
destroy : I am come that they might have life, and that 
the}^ might have it more abundantly. 

I am the good shepherd : the good shepherd giveth his 
life for the sheep. 

But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own 
the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the 
sheep, and fleeth ; and the wolf catcheth them and scat- 
tereth the sheep. 

The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth 
not for the sheep. 

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am 
known of mine. 

Lo, my Shepherd's hand divine ! 
Want shall never more be mine. 
In a pasture fair and large 
He shall feed his happy charge, 
And my couch with tenderest care 
'Midst the springing grass prepare. 

When I faint with summer's heat, 
He shall lead my weary feet 
To the streams that, still and slow, 
Through the verdant meadow flow ; 
When through devious paths I sfray, 
He shall teach the better way. 

Though the dreary vale I tread 
By the shades of death o'erspread, 
I shall walk from terror free, 
While each needed strength I see 
By thy rod and staff supplied ; 
This my guard, and that my guide. 

NOT as being worthy, but trusting in thy loving-kind- 
ness, O God most High, we draw near to thee. Not 
as we would, but as we are able, we bring to thee our de- 
vout offerings. Purify us, we beseech thee, from all guile ; 
unite us to one another in the bonds of love and peace ; 
pour down upon us thy spiritual gifts ; and grant us every 
blessing in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. 

226 



AUGUST 14. 



OLORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O 
God of Jacob. Behold, O God our shield, and look 
upon the face of thine anointed. 

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I 
had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than 
to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 

For the Lord God is a sun and shield : the Lord will 
give grace and glov}' ; no good thing will he withhold from 
them that walk uprightly. 

O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. 

Pleasant are thy courts above, 
In the land of light and love ; 
Pleasant are thy courts below, 
In this land of sin and woe. 
Oh ! my spirit longs and faints 
For the converse of thy saints, 
For the brightness of thy face, 
King of glory, God of grace. 

Lord, be mine thy prize to win ; 
Guide me through a world of sin ; 
Keep me by thy saving grace ; 
Give me at thy side a place. 
Sun and shield alike thou art. 
Guide and guard my erring heart ; 
Grace and glory flow from thee. 
Shower, oh ! shower them, Lord, on me. 

OGOD, our heavenly Father, for all thy loving-kind- 
ness to us : for forming us after thine own image, 
for creating us anew by thy dear son, for quickening us by 
thy Holy Spirit, for helping us in our necessities and dan- 
gers, comforting us in our tribulations and sorrows, and 
sparing us from the punishments we justly have deserved, 
we heartily thank thee. O thou v^^ho didst send thy Son 
into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the w^orld 
through him might be saved, and who by thy Son callest 
the wanderers home ; who by thy Holy Spirit dost comfort, 
direct, and sanctify the hearts of thy faithful servants : have 
mercy upon us. Remember not. Lord, our offences ; spare 
us, good Lord, spare thy people for thy great love as shown 
to us in Jesus Christ. Amen. 

227 



AUGUST 15. 

THEREFORE thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever 
thou art that judgest : for wherein thou judgest an- 
other, thou condaiinest thyseh" j for thou that judgest doest 
the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of 
God is accordino; to truth a2:ainst them which commit such 
tilings. 

And thinkest thou this, 0 man, that judgest them w^hich 
do such things, and doest tlie same, that thou shalt escape 
the judgment of God ? 

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbear- 
ance and long-suffering ; not knov/ing that the goodness of 
God leadeth thee to repentance ? 

^YHATE'ER my God ordains is right ; 

His will is ever just ; 
Howe'er he order now my cause, 
I will be still and trust". 
He is my God ; 
Though dark my road, 
He holds me that I shall not fall; 
Wherefore to him I leave it all. 

Whate'er my God ordains is right 

He never will deceive ; 
He leads me by the proper path, 
And so to him I cleave, 
And take content 
^Yhat he hath sent, 
His hand can turn my griefs away, 
And patiently I wait his day. 

AL!vIIGHTY God, maker of all things, whose we are, 
and on whom ^ve entirely depend : we thank thee for 
refreshing slumber, for protection from the dangers that 
w^alk in darkness, for the light and privilege of each passing 
dav. Thou art ahvavs with us, continuallv doinp* us Sfood. 
All the blessings that enrich our life come from thee, our 
Father and best Friend. Thy mercies are without number, 
and never fail. Accept our thanks ; and may the abun- 
dance of thy gifts never betray us to forget thee, the Giver. 
May our treasure on earth never lead us to neglect the en- 
during treasure of heaven. But wilt thou help us so to use 
things temporal as by them to gain things eternal ? Amen. 

228 



AUGUST 16, 



THE word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy 
heart : that is, the word of faith, which we preach ; 
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, 
and shalt beUeve in thine heart that God hath raised him 
from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

For with the heart man beheveth unto righteousness ; 
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

For the Scripture saitli. Whosoever believeth on him 
shall not be ashamed. 

For there is no difference between the Jew and the 
Greek : for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call 
upon him. 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord 
shall be saved. 

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel 
of peace, and bring glad tiding of good things ! 

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the 
word of God. 

LoxG had the darkness of ages surrounded 
Earth and its sons, when the day-star on high 

Broke from the mists, and with glory unbounded 
Held its high course through the jubilant sky. 

O'er us it shines ; and shall shine on for ever, 

Fixed like a sun in the centre of all : 
Never shall darkness o'ershadow us ; never 

Sorrow and sadness our hearts shall appal. 

THY mercies, O God, are renewed to us every day. 
May our gratitude and obedience bear fit proportion 
to thy great favor. May we revere and obey thee, and 
glorify thy name among men. We would set thee before 
us in all our ways : may we never undertake what we 
cannot ask thee to prosper ; may we pursue only that which 
thou wilt approve. Assist us, O Lord, in our daily duty. 
May it be our aim and desire every day to come nearer to 
thee, and to welcome every experience, whether of joy or 
trial, that shall bring us to God. ]vlay the hope of im- 
mortality sustain, cheer, and guide us that we may accept- 
ably serve thee now and for ever. Amen. 

229 



AUGUST 17- 



THE heavens are thine, the earth also is thine : as for 
the world, and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded 

them. 

The north and the south, thou hast created them : Tabor 
and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name. 

Thou hast a mighty arm : strong is thy hand, and high 
is thy right hand. 

Justice and judgment are the foundation of thy throne : 
mercy and truth shall go before thy face. 

Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound : they 
shall walk, 0 Lord, in the light of thy countenance. 

In thy name shall they rejoice all the day : and in thy 
righteousness shall they be exalted. 

For thou art the glory of their strength ; and in thy favor 
our heads shall be exalted. 

For the Lord is our defence ; and the Holy One of Israel 
is our King. 

I HAVE no comfort but thy love ; 
Without it, life is death to me ; 
Joyless through all its joys I move, 
Hopeless through all its misery : 
Yet, trusting thee, I daily prove 
The blessed comfort of thy love. 

Grateful my songs arise to thee 

With morning's dawn and evening's fall ; 

For thou hast ever been to me 

My light, my life, mine all in all : 

My day is night if thou remove ; 

I have no comfort but thy love. 

STIR up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the zeal of thy faith- 
ful people : that the yoke of thy law may become 
easy to them ; that their Christian love may work all the 
miracles of grace, till from grace it pass to glory, from 
earth to heaven, from duty to reward, from the weakness 
of a commencing and growing affection to the consummation 
of eternal charity and a complete union wdth thy Son Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 



AUGUST 18. 



OCOME, let us sing unto the Lord : let us make a 
joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and 
make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all 
gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the 
strength of the hills is his also. 

The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed 
the dry land. O, come, let us worship and bow down : let 
us kneel before the Lord our Maker. 

For he is our God ; and we are the people of his pasture, 
and the sheep of his hand. 

All the charities that start 
From the fountains of the heart, 
These are voices from above, 
Sweetly whispering, "God is love." 

Earth, with her ten thousand flow^ers, 
Air, with all its beams and showers, — 
All around, and all above, 
Hath this record, " God is love." 

Sounds among the vales and hills, 
In the woods, and in the rills, — 
All these songs, beneath, above, 
Have one burthen, " God is love." 

OTHOU who hast again said, " Let there be light," and 
light fills the world: truly the light is sweet, and 
pleasant it is to behold the glad beams of the sun. Oh, 
may our souls be full of light, and our hearts joyful with 
the gladness of loving and obedient lives ! May we know 
that the paths of sin are ways of bitterness and of death, 
while the paths of wisdom and righteousness are ways of 
pleasantness and peace. May we this day set our faces 
heavenward. Forgetting the things that are behind, — 
neither satisfied by past success, nor discouraged by past 
failure, — may we reach forward to the things that are be- 
fore, and press on toward the mark for the prize of the 
high calling of God, shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
Amen. 

231 



AUGUST 19. 



DRAW nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to 3'OU. 
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he 
shall hft you up. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. 

Go to now, ye that say. To-day or to-morrow we will go 
into such a cit}^, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, 
and get gain : 

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. Fur 
what is your life ? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for 
a little time, and then vanisheth away. 

For that ye ought to say, If tlie Lord will, we shall live, 
and do this, or that. 

But now ye rejoice in your boastings : all such rejoicing 
is evil. 

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it 
not, to liim it is sin. 

Source of good, whose power controls 
Ever}' movement of our souls ; 
Wind that quickens where it blows ; 
Comforter of human woes ; 
Flame of pure and holy love ; 
Strength of all that live and move, — 
Come I thy gifts and fire impart ; 
Make me love thee from the heart ! 

Mighty Spirit ! by whose aid 
Man a living soul was made ; 
Everlasting God ! whose fire 
Kindles chaste and pure desire, — 
Grant, in every grief and loss, 
I may calmly bear the cross ; 
And surrender all to thee, 
Comforting and strengthening me ! 

O ALMIGHTY God, do thou assist us with thy grace, 
that we may be able to serve thee worthily and de- 
voutly, in all purit}", and with a good conscience. And if we 
live not in so great innocency as we ought to do, grant to 
us, at the least, sincerely to lament the sins we have com- 
mitted ; and, in the spirit of humility, and with the full pur- 
pose of a good will, to resolve that we will serve thee more 
steadfastly for the time to come. Amen. 

232 



AUGUST 20. 



SWEAR not at all ; neither by heaven ; for it is God's 
throne : 

Nor by the earth ; for it is his footstool : 

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: 
for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, 
and a tooth for a tooth : 

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil : but whoso- 
ever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the 
other also; 

Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would 
borrow of thee turn not thou away. 

Turn not from him who asks of thee 

A portion of thy store ; 
Thou poor in worldly goods may'st be, 

Yet canst give what is more. 

The balm of comfort thou canst pour 

Into his grieving mind, 
Who oft is turned from wealth's proud door, 

With many a word unkind. 

Do thou raise up his drooping heart, 

Restore his wounded mind ; 
Though naught of wealth thou canst impart, 

Yet still thou may'st be kind. 

LORD, who dost search the heart, and know our most 
secret thoughts : we beseech thee, for thy fatherly 
goodness' sake, to save us both from false peace and from 
unreasonable alarm. Enable us to discover and cast out 
from our hearts whatever is displeasing to thee, and to 
amend whatever is amiss in our lives. And wilt thou, who 
lovest us better than we know, forgive all our past sins ; 
both blotting out the stain, and setting us free from the power 
of evil? And for the time to come, may we be persuaded 
of thy goodness that all thine appointments are in mercy; 
and with such faith let us walk on our paths in unshaken 
calmness, haying committed our souls to him who knoweth 
whereof we are made, and reckoneth not our shortcomings 
for ever. Amen. 



233 



AUGUST 21 



VERILY, verily, I say unto you. Except ye eat the flesh 
of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no 
life in you. 

Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath 
eternal life ; and I will raise him up at the last day. 

For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink in- 
deed. 

He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwell- 
eth in me, and I in him. 

As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the 
Father ; so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 

This is that bread which came down from heaven : not 
as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead : he that eat- 
eth of this bread shall live for ever. 

Thy bounteous hand with food can bless 
The bleak and lonely wilderness ; 
And thou hast taught us, Lord, to pray 
For daily bread from day to day. 

And, oh ! when through the wilds we roam 
That part us from our heavenly home ; 
When, lost in danger, want, and woe, 
Our faithless tears begin to flow, — 

Do thou thy gracious comfort give, 
By which alone the soul may live ; 
And grant thy servants, Lord, we pray, 
The bread of life from day to day. 

O FATHER, the day and the night alike are thine. 
In the daylight of joy and duty, may we be thank- 
ful and obedient. In the darkness of trial and grief, we 
would cheerfully accept whatever lot thy wise love shall 
ordain. Do with us as thou wilt, O Lord. Drawing nigh 
to Jesus by faith, may his fidelity and submission inspire 
us to go forth upon our Father's work, and, when the bitter 
cup is offered, to say, " Father, thy will, not mine, be done.'' 
And whether called to part with earthly treasure, or friends 
dear to our hearts, give us grace still to say, " The Lord gave, 
and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the 
Lord." Amen. 



234 



AUGUST 22. 



THE Lord reigneth ; let the earth rejoice ] let the mul- 
titude of isles be glad thereof. 
Clouds and darkness are round about him : righteousness 
and judgment are the foundation of his throne. 

The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people 
see his gloiy. 

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the up- 
right in heart. 

Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous ; and give thanks at 
the remembrance of his holiness. 



Sweet morn ! from countless cups of gold, 

Thou liftest reverently on high 
More incense fine than earth can hold, 
To fill the sky. 

In man, O morn ! a loftier good, 

With conscious blessing, fills the soul, — 
A life by reason understood, 

Which metes the whole. 

From earth and earthly toil and strife 

To deathless aims his soul may rise ; 
Each dawn may wake to better life, 
With purer eyes. 

Such grace from thee, O God, be ours. 

Renewed with every morning's ray, 
And freshening still with added flowers 
Each future day. 



E thank thee, O Lord, for the pleasant light of life, 



and for that gracious providence which again pours 



round us the cheerful beams of day. We bow^ ourselves 
before thee in adoration and prayer ; and invoke thy Spirit, 
the Spirit of life and of love, to sanctify our hearts and 
lips. We exist for thine eternal will, that, we may be fellow- 
laborers with thee, and share in thy power and blessedness. 
Thou hast made us but little lower than the ans^els. Thou 
hast crowned us with glory and honor, and given us domin- 
ion over the ^vorks of thy hands. Help us worthily and 
acceptably to serve thee, and may w^e ever live to thy glory, 




Amen. 



235 



AUGUST 23 



MAKE haste, O God, to deliver me ; make haste to help 
me, O Lord. 

Let them be ashamed that seek after my soul : let them 
be turned backward that desire my hurt. 

But let all those that seek thee, rejoice, and be glad in 
thee: and let such as love thy salvation, say continually. 
Let God be magnified. 

But I am poor and needy ; make haste unto me, O God : 
thou art my help and my deliverer ; O Lord, make no de- 
lay. 

When summer suns their radiance fling, 
G'er every bright and beauteous thing ; 
When, strong in faith, tlie evil day 
Of pain and grief seems far away ; 
When sorrow soon as felt is gone, 
And smooth the stream of life runs on ; 
When duty, cheerful, chosen, free. 
Brings her own prompt reward to thee, — 
'Tis easy then, my soul, to raise, 
The grateful song of heavenly praise. 

GRACIOUS Lord, infinite in goodness, of whose love 
not only the prosperity of thy people, but even also 
their afilictions, are proofs : may we at all times remember 
and feel that thou art our Father; and that thou art no 
less tender and merciful to us when thou chastenest us 
than when thou surroundest us with every comfort and in- 
dulgence. Though, however, we ask not exemption from 
sorrow, — which is the lot of the saints in light, — we yet ask 
that we may not be left to the sorrows of nature without 
the consolations of thy Spirit : and though we ask not for 
plenitude of good things without alloy of suffering, — for 
that is the life of glory, — we yet pray that we may not suffer 
thy chastisements without comfort, but may experience chas- 
tisements and comforts together ; and that in due time our 
affiictions may be removed, and our joys only remain. 
But in all things, we would commit ourselves into thy hands. 
Thou alone knowest what is best for us ; and do thou grant 
that, with a humble and perfect submission, and in entire 
confidence, and with heartfelt adoration, we may receive all 
the allotments of thy divine providence. Amen. 

236 



AUGUST 24. 



AND he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, 
Seest thou this woman ? I entered into thine house, 
thou gavest me no water for my feet : but she hath washed 
my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her 
head. 

Thou gavest me no kiss : but this woman, since the time 
I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 

My head with oil thou didst not anoint : but this woman 
hath anointed my feet with ointment. 

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are 
forgiven j for she loved much : but to whom little is for- 
given, the same loveth little. 

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within 
themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also ? 

And he said to the woman. Thy faith hath saved thee ; 
go in peace. 

O God, the pure alone — 
E'en in their deep confessing — 

Can see thee as their own, 
And find the perfect blessing ; 

Yet to each waiting soul. 
Speak in thy still small voice, 

Till broken Love's made whole 
And saddened hearts rejoice. 

OMOST mighty God and merciful Father, who hast 
compassion on all men, and hatest nothing that thou 
hast made ; who wouldest not the death of a sinner, but 
rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live : 
manifold are our offences, and only as sinful can we appear 
before thee. We are not worthy to be called thy children. 
Receive and comfort us, who are grieved and wearied with 
the burden of our transgressions. Mercifully forgive and 
help us, O Lord our God. O thou who madest water 
spring out of a rock for thy people in their thirst, draw 
fromi our stony hearts the tears of compunction, that we 
may truly bewail our sins ; and, as our consciences by sin 
are accused, so by thy fatherly goodness may we be par- 
doned, and received into the fellowship of Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

237 



AUGUST 25. 



THEN took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, 
very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and 
wiped his feet with her hair ; and the house was filled with 
the odor of the ointment. 

Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's 
son, which should betray him, 

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, 
and given to the poor ? 

This he said, not that he cared for the poor : but be- 
cause he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was 
put therein. 

Then said Jesus, Let her alone : against the day of my 
burying hath she kept this. 

For the poor always ye have with j^ou ; but me ye have 
not always. 

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, 
when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 

Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet 
him, and cried, Hosanna : Blessed is the King of Israel 
that Cometh in the name of the Lord. 

And now I pray for love, 

Deep love to God and man ; 
A love that will not fail, 

However dark his plan ; 
That sees all life in him, 

Rejoicing in his power ; 
And faithful, though the darkest clouds 

Of gloom and doubt may lower : 
And God was kinder than my prayer ; 
Love filled and blessed me everywhere. 

WE thank thee, O Father, for the blessed gospel of 
thy Son Jesus Christ ; for the light it sheds on thy 
nature, character, and providence, — on the path of our 
duty, and on the future world. May this glorious light 
shine into our hearts, and cheer and sustain us, and lead 
us through the scenes and trials of this life to the endless 
felicities of thy kingdom above. Amen. 



238 



AUGUST 26. 



AND when he was gone forth into the way, there came 
one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, 
Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal 
life? 

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good ? 
there is none good but one, that is, God. 

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adul- 
tery. Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, 
Defraud not. Honor thy father and mother. 

And he answered and said unto him. Master, all these 
have I observed from my youth. 

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, 
One thing thou lackest : go thy way, sell whatsoever thou 
hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in 
heaven : and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved : 
for he had great possessions. 

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disci- 
ples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the 
kingdom of God ! 

Come to me, Lord, when first I wake, 
As the faint h'ghts of morning break ; 
Bid purest thoughts within me rise, 
Like crystal dewdrops, to the skies. 

Come to me in the evening shade ; 
And if my heart from thee have strayed, 
Oh, bring it back, and from afar 
Smile on me like thine evening star ! 

Come to me through life's varied way ; 
And when its pulses cease to play, 
Then, Father, bid me come to thee, 
That where thou art thy child may be, 

GIVE us grace, O Lord, to endeavor to do thy will with 
the same diligence and industry, the same zeal and 
cheerfulness, as thy blessed angels do it in heaven ; that, 
imitating their exemplary obedience and unspotted purity 
while we are in this life, we may be permitted to be fellow- 
workers with them in thine everlasting kingdom. Amen. 

239 



AUGUST 27. 



JUDGE not according to the appearance, but judge 
righteous judgment. 
It is the spirit that quickeneth ; the flesh profiteth noth- 
ing ; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and 
they are life. 

Jesus said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent 
me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the 
doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of 
myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own 
glory ; but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the 
same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 

Silent Spirit, dwell with me ; 

I myself would quiet be : 

Quiet as the growing blade 

Which through earth its way has made ; 

Silently, like morning light, 

Putting mists and chills to flight. 

Mighty Spirit, dwell with me ; 
I myself would mighty be, — 
Mighty so as to prevail 
Where unaided man must fail, 
Ever by a mighty hope 
Pressing on and bearing up. 

Holy Spirit, dwell with me ; 

I m3'Sel£ would holy be : 

Separate from sin, I w^ould 

Choose and cherish all things good ; 

And whatever I can be 

Give to him who gave me thee ! 

ALMIGHTY God, the fountain of all wisdom, who 
knowest our necessities before we ask, and our 
ignorance in asking : we beseech thee to have compassion 
on our infirmities ; and those things, which for our un- 
worthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot 
ask, vouchsafe to give us in the fulness of that tender love 
and care for us, which thou hast made known to us in 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 



240 



AUGUST 28. 



FOR the good that I would, I do not : but the evil 
which I would not, that I do. 
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man : 
But I see another law in my members, warring against 
the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the 
law of sin which is in my members. 

0 wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from 
the bodv of this death ? 

1 thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then 
with the mind I, myself, serve the law of God ; but with the 
flesh the law of sin. 

Light of Hfe, seraphic fire ! 

Love divine, thyself impart ; 
Every fainting soul inspire ; 

Enter every drooping heart \ 
Every mournful spirit cheer ; 

Scatter all our doubt and gloom : 
Father, in thy grace appear, 

To thy human temples come ! 

Come in this accepted hour, 

Bring thy heavenly kingdom in ; 
Fill us with thy glorious power, 

Rooting out the seeds of sin. 
Nothing more can we require ; 

We can rest in nothing less : 
Be thou all our heart's desire, 

All our joy, and all our peace. 

OLORD, put thy good Spirit into all our hearts : that 
we, being made, pure and holy in our secret thoughts, 
may not fail to perform all that is acceptable in thy sight. 
May we have an eye single to thy glory ; and may we un- 
dertake no employment on vvhich we cannot ask thy bless- 
ing. Give us grace that we may desire to do that which is 
most excellent. May no spirit of self-indulgence, no love 
of ease, no dread of opposition, no fear of shame, prevent 
our laying out our lives heartily in thy service. Make us 
'willing to deny ourselves that we may live unto thee. 
Give us the spirit of thy children of old, who counted not 
their lives dear to themselves, that they might finish their 
course with joy. Amen. 

p 241 



AUGUST 29- 



JESUS saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for 
them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of 

God ! 

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, 
than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 

Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, 
and have followed thee. 

And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, 
There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sis- 
ters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for 
my sake, and the gospel's. 

But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, 
houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and chil- 
dren, and lands, with persecutions ;^ and in the world to 
come eternal life. 

But many that are first shall be last ; and the last first. 

I KNOW not what the future hath 

Of marvel or surprise ; 
Assured alone that life and death 

His mercy underlies. 

And s.o beside the silent sea 
. I wait the muffled oar ; 
No harm can come from him to me 
On ocean or on shore. 

I know not where his islands lift 

Their fronded palms in air; 
I only know I cannot drift 

Beyond his love and care. 

ETERNAL God, who hast neither dawn nor evening, 
yet sendest us alternate mercies of the darkness and 
the day : there is no light but thine, without, within. As 
thou liftest the curtain of night from our abodes, take also 
the veil from all our hearts. Rise with thy morning upon 
our souls; quicken all our labor and our prayer ; and, 
though all else declines, let the noontide of thy grace and 
peace remain. May we walk, while it is yet day, in the 
steps of him who, with fewest hours, finished thy divinest 
work. Amen. 



242 



AUGUST 30. 



BECx^USE thou hast made the Lord thy refuge, and 
the Most High thy habitation ; there shall no evil 
befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwell- 
ing. 

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep 
thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their 
hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I 
deliver him : I will set him on high, because he hath known 
my name. 

He shall call upon me, and I will answ^er him : I will be 
with him in trouble ; I will deliver him, and honor him. 

With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my sal- 
vation. 

My God ! thy boundless love I praise ; 
How bright on high its glories blaze ! 

How sweetly bloom below ! 
It streams from thine eternal throne ; 
Through heaven its joys for ever run, 

And o'er the earth they flow. 

Then let the love that makes me blest, 
With cheerful praise inspire my breast, 

And ardent gratitude ; 
And all my thoughts and passions tend 
To thee, my Father and my Friend, 

My soul's eternal good. 

GOD of our lives. Maker of heaven and earth, who dost 
every morning command the light to shine out of 
darkness : shine into our hearts now, and give us the light 
of the knowledge of thy glory ; let an everlasting day daAvn 
within us. As we have risen refreshed by repose, we 
would go forth with heart and hand ready for every good 
work ; we w^ould return to our active duties with a fresh 
sense of the true value and purposes of life, and more 
deeply impressed than ever by the thought of the momen- 
tous consequences involved in all that we think and say 
and do. But without thee, all our strength is naught, and 
we shall labor in vain. Grant us thy blessing, O God. 
Be wdth us this day to guard and guide. Amen. 

243 



AUGUST 31. 



ALL nations whom thou hast made shall come and 
worship before thee, O Lord ; and shall glorify thy 

name. 

Teach me thy way, O Lord : I will \valk in thy truth : 
unite my heart to fear thy name. 

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart : 
and I will glorify thy name for evermore. 

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and 
gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. 

Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the 
people in whose heart is my law ; fear ye not the reproach 
of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. 

Sing, O heavens ; and be joyful, O earth ; and break 
forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath com- 
forted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. 

Oh, make our house thy sanctuary ! 

Come in to us, a friendly guest, 
And in our circle ever tarry. 

Then shall we be for ever blest, 
And thou, a house-mate, shall these walls 
Transfigure into royal halls. 

One tender bond all hearts embraces, 
A heavenly bond, thy hand hath wove ; 

The rooms are turned to temple-spaces, 
Illumined with God's peace and love. 

Grace is the sunshine of our home. 

And there God's angels go and come. 

OUR Father in heaven, we live under thy care and 
blessing. Though we may be separated from each 
other, we cannot depart from thy presence. Watch over 
us, we pray thee, wherever we may be ; and keep us from 
all evil. Fill our hearts wdth thy love, and lead us in the 
safe and pleasant ways of innocence and wisdom. Keep 
us, O Father, beneath the shadow of thy wing. Make us 
strong to resist temptation, active in daing thy holy will, 
pure in all our thoughts, kind and loving to each other and 
to all men. So may we live that, when parted here on 
earth, we may be prepared to meet again in heaven. 
Amen. 

244 



SEPTEMBER 1. 



HE that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High 
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his 
wings shalt thou trust : his truth shall be thy shield and 
buckler. 

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror of the night ; nor 
for the arrow that fiieth by day ; 

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness ; nov for 
the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 

Blessed be thy name for ever, 
Thou of life the Guard and Giver ! 
Thou who slumberest not nor sleepest, 
Blest are they thou kindly keepest I 
God of stillness and of motion, 
Of the rainbow and the ocean. 
Of the mountain, rock, and river. 
Blessed be thy name for ever ! 

God of evening's peaceful ray ; 
God of every dawning day, 
Rising from the distant sea, 
Breathing of eternity : 
Thine the flaming sphere of light, 
Thine the darkness of the night ; 
God of life, that fade shall never, 
Glory to thy name for ever 1 

O GOD, who leadest us through seasons of life to be 
partakers of thine eternity: the shadows of our 
evening hasten on. Quicken us betimes, and spare us 
th'at sad word, " The harvest is past, the summer is ended, 
and we are not saved." Anew we dedicate ourselves to 
thee. We would ask nothing, reserve nothing, for our- 
selves, save only leave to go whither thou mayst guide, to 
live not far from thee, and die into thy nearer light. Con- 
tent to accept the reproach of truth and the self-denials of 
pure integrity, we would take upon us the yoke of Christ, 
whom it behooved to suffer ere he entered into his glory. 
Even as he said to all, If any man come after me, let him 
deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.'* 
So, Father, help us to live in his spirit, and walk in his 
footsteps, even unto death. Amen. 

245 



SEPTEMBER 2. 



AXD I will bring the blind by a way that they knew 
not ; I will lead them in paths that they have not 
known: I will make darkness light before them^ and 
crooked things straight. 

These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. 
This is the purpose that is puiposed upon the whole 
earth : and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all 
the nations. 

In sleep's serene oblivion laid, 

I safely passed the silent night ; 
Again I see the breaking shade, 

I drink again the morning light. 

New-born, I bless the waking hour ; 

Once more, with awe, rejoice to be : 
My conscious soul resumes her power, 

And springs, my guardian God, to thee. 

Oh ! guide me through the various maze 
My doubtful feet are doomed to tread ; 

And spread thy shield's protecting blaze, 
When dangers press around .my head. 

A deeper shade shall soon impend ; 

A deeper sleep mine eyes oppress : 
Yet then thy strength shall still defend, 

Thy goodness still delight to bless. 

That deeper shade shall break away ; 

That deeper sleep shall leave mine eyes : 
Thy light shall give eternal day ; 

Thy love, the rapture of the skies. 

OGOD5 who art the fountain of all holiness : grant 
unto thy servants grace to follow thy blessed saints 
in all virtuous and godly living ; that we may with them 
come to those unspeakable joys which thou hast prepared 
for them that love thee and keep thy commandments. O 
Lord, who by thy Son hast opened to us. a kingdom which 
is not of this world: direct, we beseech thee, our lot in this 
life according to our hopes, if they are not displeasing to 
thee ; but, if they are, O our God, we willingly renounce 
them, and ask only to be made the means of advancing thy 
kingdom. Amen. 

246 



SEPTEMBER 3. 



NO man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with 
a vessel, or putteth it under a bed ; but setteth it on 
a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 

For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest , 
neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come 
abroad. 

Take heed therefore how ye hear : for whosoever hath, to 
him shall be given ; and whosoever hath not, from him shall 
be taken even that which he seemeth to have. 

Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could 
not come at him for the press. 

And it was told him by certain which said. Thy mother 
and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 

And he answered and said unto them. My mother and 
my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and 
do it. 

Now with creation's morning song, 

Let us, as children of the day, 
With wakened heart and purpose strong, 

The works of darkness cast away. • 
Oh ! may the morn so pure, so clear, 

Its own sweet calm in us instil ; 
A guileless mind, a heart sincere. 

Simplicity of mind and will. 

And ever, as the day glides by. 

May we the busy senses rein ; 
Keep guard upon the hand and eye, 

Nor let the conscience suffer stain. 
Grant us, O God ! in love to thee. 

Clear eyes to measure things below ; 
Faith, the invisible to see ; 

And wisdom, thee in all to know. 

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all 
desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid : 
cleanse our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, 
that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy 
holy name. Assist us, O Lord, in our doings with thy 
most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help, 
that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, 
we may live to thy glory, and by thy mercy obtain ever- 
lasting life. Amen. 

247 



SEPTEMBER 4. 



BUT I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do 
good to them which hate you, 
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which de- 
spitefully use you. 

And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer 
also the other ; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid 
not to take thy coat also. 

Give to eveiy man that asketh of thee ; and of him that 
taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to 
them likewise. 

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have 
}"e ? for sinners also love those that love them. 

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what 
thank have ye ? for sinners also do even the same. 

In the morning I will raise 
To my God the voice of praise ; 
\Yith his kind protection blest, 
Sweet and deep has been my rest. 

In the morning I will pray 
For God's blessing on the day; 
What this day shall be my lot, 
Light or darkness, know 1 not. 

Should it be with clouds o'ercast, 
Clouds of sorrow, gathering fast, 
Thou, who givest light divine, 
Shine within me. Lord, oh shine ! 

ALMIGHTY God, who art light and with whom there 
is no darkness : to thee we thy children come in 
grateful trust. Mercifully hear our lowly prayer, and give 
us the wisdom that is from above. !May our hearts be open 
as the day ; may they long for more quickening truth. Give 
us clear views of thy word, that truth that sanctifieth and 
inaketh free. Amid diversities of belief may there be 
found the spirit of truth. O God, send forth thy truth and 
light till all shall know thee, the only true God, and Jesus 
Christ whom thou hast sent. Amen. 

248 



SEPTEMBER 5. 



THEN he called his twelve disciples together. 
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, 
and to heal the sick. 

And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, 
neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; 
neither have two coats apiece. 

And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and 
thence depart. 

And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of 
that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testi- 
mony against them. 

And they departed, and went through the towns, preach- 
ing the gospel, and healing everywhere. 

Now that the sun is beammg bright, 

Implore we, bending low, 
That he, the uncreated Light, 

May guide us as we go. 
No sinful word, nor deed of wrong, 

Nor thoughts that idly rove, 
But simple truth, be on our tongue, 

And in our hearts be love. 

And, while the hours in order flow. 

Securely keep, O God, 
Our hearts, beleaguered by the foe 

That tempts our every road. 
And grant that to thine honor. Lord, 

Our daily toil may tend ; 
That we begin it at thy word, 

And in thy favor end. 

OGOD, may our souls be warm with life : save us from 
an inanimate and sluggish state. Teach us thy 
purity ; how great thy abhorrence of evil, how irreconcila- 
ble thy hatred of it, and may we all partake of the same 
abhorrence of sin. Increase our sensibility to evil; may 
we shun every appearance of it,, and repel the first temp- 
tation ; and, in a world where example is so corrupt, we 
beseech thee to arm us with a holy fortitude.. Inspire our 
sensibility to good ; may we see more and more its loveli- 
ness and beauty. And may all the varied experience of 
life draw us nearer to thee. Amen. 

249 



SEPTEMBER 6, 



THE Lord is gracious, and full of compassion ; slow to 
anger, arfd of great mercy. 
The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over 
all his works. 

All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord ; and thy saints 
shall bless thee. 

They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk 
of thy power ; 

To make known to the sons of men thy mighty acts, and 
the glorious majesty of thy kingdom. 

Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy domin- 
ion endureth throughout all generations. 

How dear is the thought, that the angels of God 
May bow their bright wings to the world they once trod ; 
Will leave the sweet songs of the mansions above, 
To breathe o'er our bosoms some message of love ! 

They come, on the wings of the morning they come, 
Impatient to lead some poor wanderer home ; 
Some sinner to save from his darkened abode, 
And lay him to rest in the arms of his God. 

They come when we wander, they come when we pray, 
In mercy to guard us wherever we stray : 
A glorious cloud, their bright witness is given ; 
Encircling us here are these angels of heaven. 

ETERNAL God, in whom the spirits of just nien do 
rest in peace from their labors : we bless and praise 
thy holy name for all thy servants departed this life in thy 
faith and fear ; and especially for those most dear to us, of 
whom we have good hope that they are fallen asleep in 
Jesus. And we beseech thee to give us grace so to follow 
their good examples that even here we may be united to 
them in fellowship of spirit, and that finally we may be 
gathered together with them into the bosom of thy love. 
Amen. 



250 



SEPTEMBER 7. 



E have, had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, 



V \ and we gave them reverence : shall we not much 
rather be m subjection unto the Father of spirits, and 
live ? 

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their 
own pleasure ; but he for our profit, that we might be par- 
takers of his holiness. 

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joy- 
ous, but grievous : nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the 
peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them wliich are exer- 
cised thereby. 



Lkwe God to order all thy ways, 
And hope m him whate'er betide ; 

Thou'lt find him in the evil days 
Thy all-sufficient strength and guide : 

Who trusts in God's unchanging love, 

Builds on the rock that naught can move. 

Sing, pray, and swerve not from his ways, 
But do thine own part faithfully ; 

Trust his rich promises of grace, 
So shall they be fulhird in thee : 

God never yet forsook at need 

The soul that trusted him indeed. 



OGOD, our Father good and kind : though we forget 
thee, thou dost never forget us. Thou makest the 
sun to shine, and the rain to fall, and givest us all the 
blessings we enjoy. Thou hast given us the dear friends 
wdiom we love, and who love us ; all the joys of this fair 
world we live in, and all the bright hopes of the better life. 
What shall we render unto thee for all thy benefits } May 
w^e bring to thee pure and grateful hearts. May we do 
justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before thee. May we 
love thee truly, and show thee our love by cheerful obedi- 
ence, — by loving all around us,, and helping all whom we 
have power to aid. So may we grow wiser and better 
every day. Bless us, we pray thee, and those who are dear 
to us, and all. thy children everywhere. May all know and 
love thee, and serve and worship thee in spirit and m truth. 
Amen. 




251 



0 



SEPTEMBER 8. 



I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 
Eveiy branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh 
away ; and every branch tliat bearetii fruit, he purgeth it, 
tliat it may bring fortii more fruit. 

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken 
unto you. 

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear 
fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine ; no more can ye, 
except ye abide in me. 

I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abide th in 
me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit ; for 
without me ye can do nothing. 

If ye abide in me, and my w^ords abide in you, ye shall 
ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit ; 
so shall ye be my disciples. 

Planted in Christ, the living Vine, 

Tliis day, with one accord, 
Ourselves, with humble faith and joy. 

We yield to thee, O Lord ! 

Joined in one body may we be, 

One inward life partake, 
One be our heart, one heavenly hope 

In every bosom wake. 

In prayer, in effort, tears, and toils, 

One wisdom be our guide : 
Taught by one Spirit from above, 

In thee may we abide. 

O ALMIGHTY and eternal God, who by thy Son Je- 
sus Christ hast shown the care thou takest of the 
people : cultivate, we beseech thee, every branch of this 
thy vine, that it may be more fruitful : let not the thorns of 
sin prevail against us ; but protect us by thy Spirit, that we 
may bring forth the fruits of holy livdng, to the glory of thy 
blessed name. Amen. 



253 



SEPTEMBER 9. 



WHEN thou saidst, Seek ye my face, my heart said 
unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. 
Hide not thy face far from me : thou hast been my 
help : leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my 
salvation. 

Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path. 
I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of 
the Lord in the land of the living. 

Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall 
strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord. 

ArrROACii not the altar w'ith gloom in thy soul, 
Nor let thy feet falter from terror's control : 
God loves not the sadness of fear and mistrust ; 
Oh, serve him ^vith gladness, — the Loving and Just I 

His bounty is tender, his being is love; 

His smile fills with splendor the blue arch above : 

Confiding, believing, oh ! enter always 

His courts with thanksgiving, his portals with praise ! 

Come not to his temple with pride in thy mien, 
Bat lowly and simple, in courage serene ; 
Bring meekly before him the faith of a child, 
Bow down and adore him with heart undefiled ! 

OGOD, if only our wills may remain right and firm 
towards thee, do with us whatsoever it shall please 
thee ; for it cannot be any thing but good, wdiatsoever thou 
shalt do with us. If it be thv will we should be in dark- 
ness, be thou blessed ; and if it be thy will we should be 
in light, be thou blessed. If thou vouchsafe to comfort us, 
be thou blessed ; and if thou wilt have us afflicted, be thou 
ever equally blessed. O Lord, we will cheerfully suffer 
whatsoever thou shalt appoint. From thy hand we are 
willing to receive good and evil, sweet and bitter, joy and 
sorrow; and for all that befalleth us we will be thankful. 
Keep us safe from all sin, and we shall neither fear death 
nor hell, but utterly trust in thee as humble disciples of 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 



253 



SEPTEMBER 10. 



DOTH not wisdom cry ? and understanding put forth 
her voice ? 

Hear ; for I will speak of excellent things ; and the open- 
ing of my lips shall be" right things. 

For my mouth shall speak truth ; and wickedness is an 
abomination to my lips. 

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness ; there 
is nothing froward or perverse in them. 

They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right 
to them that find knowledge. 

Receive my instruction, and not silver ; and knowledge 
rather than choice gold. 

For wdsdom is better than rubies ; and all the things 
that may be desired are not to be compared, to it. 



How happy is he born or taught 
Who serveth not another's will ; 
Whose armor is his honest thought, 
And simple truth his highest skill ; 
Whose passions not his masters are ; 
Whose soul is still prepared for death ; 
Not tied unto the world with care 
Of public fame or private breath ; 

Who God doth late and early pray 
More of his grace than goods to lend, 
And walks with man, from day to day, 
As with a brother and a friend ! 
This man is freed from servile bands 
Of hope to rise, or fear to fall ; 
Lord of himself, though not of lands, 
And having nothing, yet hath all. 



THOU Fountain of all goodness, accept the prayers 



V_>/ which we this day fervently offer up at the footstool 
of thv throne. i\Iav w^e be alwavs as readv to acknowledo-e 
and use thy gracious gifts as we are to ask them in the 
time of our need. Cast out from us all evil, and work in 
us a fulness of holiness, of wisdom, and spiritual under- 
standing ; that, increasing in the knowledge of thee, we 
may be fruitful in every good work, through our Lord 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 




254 



SEPTEMBER 11. 



WITH my soul have I desired thee in the night ; yea, 
with my spirit within me will I seek thee early : 
for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants 
of the world will learn righteousness. 

Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us : for thou also hast 
wrought all our works in us. 

O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: 
it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 

O Lord, correct me, but with judgment ; not in thine 
anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. 

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, 
though we have rebelled against him ; neither have we 
obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, 
w^hich he set before us by his servants, the prophets. 

My voice shalt thou hear this morning, 

For the shades have passed away, 
And out from the dark like a joyous lark 

My heart soars up with the day ; 
And its burden all is blessing, 

And its accents all are song ; 
For thou hast refreshed its slumbers, 

And thy strength hath made it strong. 

My voice shalt thou hear this morning, 

For the day is all unknown ; 
And I am afraid without thine aid 

To travel its hours alone. 
Give me thy light to lead me, 

Give me thy hand to guide, 
Give me thy living presence. 

To journey side by side. 

UNDER thy kind providence, O God, we are permitted 
once more to behold the light of day ; w^e would 
unite in prayer that our sins may be forgiven, and that we 
may find acceptance with thee. In many things we have 
offended, and have come short of the glory of God. We 
therefore humble ourselves before thee, and ask thy bless- 
ing. May a right spirit be renewed within us ; and day by 
day may we become more worthy to be called thy children. 
Amen. 



255 



SEPTEMBER 12 



THE glory of the Lord shall rejoice for ever ; the Lord 
shall rejoice in his works. 
Thou waterest the hills from thy chambers : the earth is 
satisfied with the fruit of thy works. 

Thou causest the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb 
for the service of man : that thou mayest bring forth food 
out of the earth. 

I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing 
praise to my God while I have my being. 

Praise to God, immortal praise, 
For the love that crowns our days ! 
Bounteous Source of every joy. 
Let thy praise our tongues employ ! 
All the blessings of the fields, 
All the stores the garden yields, 
Flocks that whiten all the plain, 
Yellow sheaves of ripened grain ; 

All that spring with bounteous hand 
Scatters o'er the smiling land, 
All the plenty summer pours. 
Autumn's rich, o'erflowing stores, — 
These to thee, our God, we owe. 
Source whence all our blessings flow; 
And for these our souls shall raise 
Grateful vows and solemn praise. 

ALMIGHTY and eternal Lord God, who art infinite 
in power and wisdom and goodness : with hearts 
deeply sensible of thy tender care and concern for us, we 
most humbly beseech thee to accept our tribute of thanks 
and praise for the return of that joyous season in which 
thou makest our fields to yield an abundant increase. On 
thy fatherly protection and kindness we vjill steadfastly 
rely for the supply of our wants ; for thou carest for us. 
But, O heavenly Father, while we rejoice in thy outward 
bounty, do thou keep us ever mindful that man's life con- 
sisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possess- 
eth ; and grant that we may not cease to labor more earnestly 
for those everlasting blessings which thou hast vouchsafed 
to us in thy beloved Son Jesus Christ. Amen. 

256 



SEPTEMBER 13. 



ALTHOUGH the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither 
shall fruit be in the vines ; the labor of the olive 
shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat ; the flock shall 
be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the 
stalls : 

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of 
my salvation. 

The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet 
like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine 
high places. 

Should the rising whirlwinds tear 
From its stem the ripenmg ear ; 
Should the fig-tree's blasted shoot 
Drop her green, untimely fruit ; 

Should the vine put forth no more, 
Nor the olive yield her store ; 
Though the sickening flocks should fall, 
And the herds desert the stall ; 

Should thy altered hand restrain 
The early and the latter rain, 
Blast each opening bud of joy, 
And the rising year destroy : 

Yet to thee my soul should raise 
Grateful vows and solemn praise ; 
And, when every blessing's flown, 
Love thee for thyself alone. 

GRANT to us. Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to 
think and do always such things as be rightful ; that 
we, who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may 
by thee be enabled to live according to thy will as revealed 
to us by thy Son Jesus Christ. O thou who hast laid the 
foundations of the world : help us so to build upon the eter- 
nal rock that in the time of trial. we shall not fail j help us 
to serve thee in the shadows and darkness of the world of 
sense, that we may be meet to be partakers of the inheri- 
tance of the saints in light, where we shall ever praise the 
glorious riches of thy grace. Amen. 



Q 



257 



SEPTEMBER 14. 



BUT the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the 
Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all 
things, and bring all things to yom' remembrance, whatso- 
ever I have said unto you. 

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto 
you from the Father, even the spirit of Truth, which proceed- 
eth from the Father, he shall testify of me. 

It is expedient for you that I go away : for if I go not 
away, the Comforter will not come unto you : but if I de- 
part, I will send him unto you. 

Our blest Redeemer, ere lie breathed 

His tender, last farewell, 
A Guide, a comforter, bequeathed, 
^Yith us to dwell. 

He came sweet influence to impart, 

A gi'acious, willing guest, 
^Yhile he can find one humble heart 
^Yherein to rest. 

And his that gentle voice we hear, 

Soft as the breath of even, 
That checks each fault, that calms each fear, 
And speaks of heaven. 

And every virtue we possess. 

And even' victory won, 
And ever}" thought of holiness, 
Are his alone. 

Spirit of purity and grace. 

Our weakness pitying see ; 
Oh, make our hearts thy dwelling-place, 
And worthier thee I 

GRANT, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that we 
who celebrate the gift of thy Holy Spirit may, by 
thy heavenly inspiration, earnestly thirst after the fountain 
of life, which thou hast graciously opened to us in thy Son 
Jesus Christ. ]May the grace of thy Holy Spirit, O Lord, 
enlighten our hearts, and abundantly refresh them with the 
sweetness of perfect charity, that we may be well-pleasing 
in thy sight, as true disciples of thy Son. Amen.. 



SEPTEMBER 15. 



AND I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you ; 
seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be 
opened unto you. 

For eveiy one that asketh receiveth ; and he that seek- 
eth findeth ; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, 
will he give him a stone ? or if he ask a fish, will he for a 
fish give him a serpent? 

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto 
your children ; how much more shall your heavenly Father 
give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him ? 

How do the rivulets find their way ? 

How do the flowers know the day, 

And open their cups to catch the ray ? 
I see the germ to the sunlight reach, 
And the nestlings know the old bird's speech ; 
I do not see who is there to teach. 

I see the hare from the danger hide, 

And the stars through the pathless spaces ride ; 

I do not see that they have a guide. 

He is eyes for all who is eyes for the mole ; 

All motion goes to the rightful goal ; 

O God, I can trust for the human soul. 

O]\I0ST merciful God, whose mercy is as high as the 
heavens, and endureth for ever: thou hast opened 
thy hand to fill us with blessings and the sweet effects of thy 
loving-kindness. Thou art pitiful as a father, tender as a 
mother : we pray thee to fill our souls with a deep sense of 
thy unspeakable goodness, that our thankfulness may be as 
great 'as our need of mercy. Whatever we possess, out- 
wardly or inwardly, is thy gift. Let thy fatherly loving- 
kindness still preser\'e and bless us ; as thou hast holden 
us up ever since ^ve were born, so let thy mercy go along 
wdth us all our days ; and grant that after we have, by thy 
aid, fought the good fight of faith, and finished our earthly 
course, we may lie down in righteousness, and have a joy- 
ful resurrection to the societ}^ of saints and angels, and the 
full fruition of heavenly blessedness in the presence of thy 
glorified Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

259 



SEPTEMBER 16. 



AND he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there ; 
and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and 
he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before 
the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great 
and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces 
the rocks before the Lord ; but the Lord was not in the 
wind : and after the wind an earthquake ; but the Lord was 
not in the earthquake : 

And after the earthquake a fire ; but the Lord was not 
in the fire : and after the fire a still small voice. 

And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wTapped his 
face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering 
in of the cave. 

And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, 
What doest thou here, Elijah? 

Open, Lord, my inward ear, 

And bid my heart rejoice I 
Bid my quiet spirit hear 

Thy comfortable voice ; 
Never in the whirlwind found, 

Or where earthquakes rock the place; 
Still and silent is the sound, 

The whisper, of thy grace ! 

From the world of sin and noise 

And hurry, I withdraw ; 
For the small and inward voice 

I wait with humble awe ; 
Silent am I now and still. 

Dare not in thy presence move : 
To my waiting soul reveal 

The secret, of thy love ! 

OGOD, the strength of all them that put their trust in 
thee : mercifully accept our prayers ; and, because 
through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no 
good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, 
that in keeping of thy commandments we may please thee 
both in will and deed, after the example of Jesus Christ, 
thy well-beloved Son. Amen. 

260 



SEPTEMBER 17. 



AND when he came to himself, he said, I will arise and 
go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I 
have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no 
more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy 
hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. 
But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, 
and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and 
kissed him. And the son said unto him. Father, I have 
sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more 
\vorthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his 
servants. Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him ; and 
put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet : and bring 
hither the fatted calf, and kill it j and let us eat, and be 
merry : for this my son was dead, and is alive again : he 
was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 

Oh, richly, Father, have I been 

Blest evermore by thee ! 
And morning, noon, and night thou hast 

Preserved me tenderly. 
And yet the love which thou shouldst claim 

To idols I have given ; 
Too oft have bound to earth the hopes 

That know no home but heaven. 

Unworthy to be called thy son, 

I come with shame to thee, 
Father ! — oh, more than father thou 

Hast always been to me 1 
Help me to break the heavy chains 

The world has round me thrown, 
And know the glorious liberty 

Of an obedient son. 

ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, who didst send 
thy beloved Son into the world to seek and to save 
that which was lost : we beseech thee to look favorably 
upon thy servants, and to forgive all our offences. Create 
in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit wdthin 
us. Wash us thoroughly from our iniquities, and cleanse 
us from our sins. Make us more faithful to our own souls, 
to each other, and to thee, through the guidance of Him 
who is the way, the truth, and the life. Amen. 

261 



SEPTEMBER 18. 



IN the morning ye shall be filled with bread : and ye 
shall know that I am the Lord your God. 
And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon 
the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as 
small as the hoar frost on the ground. And when the 
children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is 
Manna! And Moses said unto them, This is the bread 
which the Lord hath given you to eat. And they gathered 
it every morning, every man according to his eating. 



Day by day the manna fell : 
Oh, to learn this lesson well I 
Still by constant mercy fed, 
Give us, Lord, our daily bread. 
" Day by day," the promise reads ; 



Cast foreboding fears away ; 
Take the manna of to-day. 

Lord, our times are in thy hand ; 
All our sanguine hopes have planned 
To thy wisdom we resign. 
And would mould our wills to thine. 
Thou our daily task shalt give ; 
Day by day to thee we live ; 
So shall added years fulfil 
Not our own, our Father's will. 



THOU at whose word the sun ariseth, and man goeth 



forth to his labor until the evening, we ask thy 
blessing. Without thee we can do nothing : with thee we 
can have nothing to fear. Thou art all in all ; for every 
step that we take, for every breath that we draw, strength 
cometh from thee ; and thy favor is life, and thy loving 
kindness is better than life. Make us deeply sensible this 
day of our dependence on thee ; and for every duty may 
we be strengthened by the thought of thy presence. Lift 
thou up the light of th}^ countenance upon us. Wherever 
we go, however we may be employed, in the busiest mo- 
ments, and amidst the noise and hurry of the world, let 
thy voice be heard, above the din of earth, in our hearts, 
and thy peace cause all around and within to shine as with 
the serene and unfading brightness of heaven. Amen. 



Daily strength for daily needs ; 




262 



SEPTEMBER 19, 



AND if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, 
what thank have ye ? for sinners also lend to sin- 
ners, to receive as much again. 

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hop- 
ing for nothing again ; and your reward shall be great, and 
ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind 
unto the unthankful and to the evil. 

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, 
and ye shall not be condemned : forgive, and ye shall be 
forgiven : 

Give, and it shall be given unto you ; good measure, 
pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, 
shall men give into your bosom. For with the same meas- 
ure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 

Keep my feet from secret snares, 
Keep mine eyes, O God, from tears ! 
Every step thy love attend, 
And my soul from death defend I 

Show me, if I tempted be, 
How to find all strength in thee, 
And a perfect triumph win 
Over every bosom sin. 

Then, when fall the shades of night, 
All within shall still be light ; 
Thou wilt peace around diffuse, 
Gently as the evening dews. 

OTHOU great Author of our being, who knowest all 
our w^ants, and who alone art able to supply them ; 
who perceivest all the dangers and evils to which we are 
exposed, and who alone canst defend us : whither shall we 
go but unto thee ? We pray thee to compassionate our 
weakness, to guard us in peril,, to direct us in doubt, and to 
save us from falling into sin. In every exposure may thy 
shield be over us. From the evil that is around and within 
us, graciously deliver us. Make the path of duty plain 
before us, and keep us in it even unto the end. Amen. 



263 



SEPTEMBER 20. 



THE Lord will answer and say unto his people, Behold 
I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall 
be satisfied therewith. 

Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice ; for the Lord will 
do great things. Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field ; for 
the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree bear- 
eth her fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their 
strength. 

And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise 
the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt v/ondrously 
with you. 

Sometimes a light surprises 

The Christian while he sings ; _ 
It is the Lord who rises, 

With healing in his wings : 
When comforts are declining, 

He grants the soul again 
A season of clear shining 

To cheer it after rain. 

Though vine nor fig-tree neither 

Their wonted fruit shall bear ; 
Though all the field should wither, 

Nor flocks nor herds be there ; 
Yet, God the same abiding, 

His praise shall tune my voice ; 
For, while in him confiding, 

I cannot but rejoice. 

GOD of all grace, and Father of all consolation, who 
art good and doest good continually, showing thy 
loving-kindness and tender mercy even to the evil and un- 
thankful : how broad and deep and firm is the foundation 
on which rest our hope and trust and joyl Towards thee 
our hearts glow with love and thankfulness. How can we 
express thy tender care or our obligations ? But thou 
needest not our poor words of adoration. Thou requirest 
the worship of the heart and the active, constant worship 
of the life. This we desire to oft^er. O Lord, help us to 
serve thee aright, and may we find true communion with 
thy Spirit liow and evermore. Amen. 



264 



SEPTEMBER 21 



HEREIN is my Father glorified, that ye bear much 
fruit : so shall ye be my disciples. 
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you : con- 
tinue ye in my love. 

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my 
love j even as I have kept my Father's commandments, 
and abide in his love. 

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy 
might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as 
I have loved you. 

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay 
down his life for his friends. 

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I comm.and you. 

Source of light and life divine ! 
Thou didst cause the light to shine ; 
Thou didst bring thy sunbeams forth 
O'er thy new-created earth. 
Shade of night and morning ray 
Took from thee the name of day : 
Now again the shades are nigh, 
Listen to thy children's cry ! 

May we ne'er, by guilt depressed, 
Lose the way to endless rest ; 
May no thoughts, corrupt and vain, 
Draw our souls to earth again. 
Rather help them still to rise 
Where our dearest treasure lies ; 
Help us in our daily strife. 
Make us struggle into life ! 

O LORD our God, who by thy Son hast taught us that 
love is the fulfilling of the law and of the gospel : fill 
us, we beseech thee, with the spirit of universal charity, 
that we may love thee above all, and our neighbor as our- 
selves. O merciful God, who art a Father to all thy peo- 
ple : grant that thy holy gospel may be proclaimed in the 
uttermost parts of the earth, gladdening the hearts of all 
who hear it ; and, O blessed Lord, so fetch thy wanderers 
home to thy flock,- that there may be one fold under one 
shepherd. Amen. 

265 



SEPTEMBER 22. 



AND Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How 
long halt ye between two opinions ? if the Lord be 
God, follow him : but if Baal, then follow him. 

And they called on the name of Baal from morning even 
until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no 
voice, nor any that answered. 

And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. 
And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired 
the altar of the Lord that was broken down. 

And Elijah took twelve stones, . . . and with the stones 
he built an altar in the name of the Lord. 

For ever with the Lord ! 

So, Father, let it be ; 
Life from the dead is in that word, 

'Tis immortality. 

Here in the body pent, 

Absent from thee I roam ; 
Yet nightly pitch my moving tent 

A day's march nearer home. 

For ever with the Lord ! 

Father, if 'tis thy will, 
The promise of that blessed word 

Even here to me fulfil. 

OLORD God, whose name alone is excellent, and 
whose praise is above heaven and earth : we adore 
and bless thy mercy for creating us after thine own image. 
May all thy creatures minister to thy praises in their sev- 
eral degrees. Give us grace, we beseech thee, that the 
laws of sanctity, of faith, and obedience, which thou hast 
given to us, may never be broken ; that we, serving thee not 
only in the order of thy creatures, but in the capacity of thy 
children, may glorify thy holy name amongst the angels 
and the innumerable host of saints in thy kingdom. 
Amen. 



266 



SEPTEMBER 23, 



AND it came to pass at the time of the offering of the 
evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, 
and said, Lord God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Israel, 
let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and 
that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things 
at thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people 
may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast 
turned their heart back again. 

Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt 
sacrifice. 

And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces : 
and they said, The Lord, he is the God : The Lord, he is 
the God. 

My Father's house on high ! 

Home of my soul, how near 
At times to faitli's foreseeing eye 

Thy golden gates appear I 

And then I feel that he, 

Remembered or forgot, 
The Lord, is never far from me, 

Though I perceive him not. 

Be thou at my right hand, 

Then can I never fail ; 
Uphold thou me, and I shall stand ; 

Help, and I must prevail. 

MOST gracious God, who strengthenest the weak and 
renewest the weary, and givest to thy faithful ser- 
vants a peace wdiich the w^orld can neither give nor take 
away : may this day be entirely free from sin ; and let thy 
grace abound in our hearts. Blessed Lord, who hast caused 
all holy Scriptures to be w^ritten for our learning : grant 
that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and 
inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy 
holy word w^e may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed 
hope of everlasting life, wd:iich thou hast given us in our 
Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 



267 



SEPTEMBER 24. 



COME unto me, all ye that labor and are hea^y laden, 
and I will give you rest. 
Take my yoke upon you and learn of me ; for I am meek 
and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 

Come unto me, when shadows darkly gather, 

^Yhen the sad'heart is weary and distrest, 
Seeking for comfort from your Heavenly Father, 

Come unto me, and I will give you rest I 

Ye who have mourned when the spring-flowers were taken, 

When the ripe fruit fell richly to the ground, 
\Yhen the loved slept, in brighter homes to waken, 

^Yhere their pale brows with spirit- wreaths are crowned : 

Large are the mansions in thy Father's dwelling. 

Glad are the homes that sorrows never dim ; 
Sweet are the harps in holy music swelling, 

Soft are the tones which raise the heavenly h}TQn; 

There, like an Eden blossoming in gladness, 

Bloom the fair flowers the earth too rudely pressed ; 

Come unto me, all ye who droop in sadness. 
Come unto me, and I will give you rest. 

ETERNAL rest give to us also, O Lord, when our souls 
shall cast off this earthlv bodv, and enter thv won- 
drous presence. O grant that we may often have this 
moment in our thoughts. Thou hast not created us for this 
world alone, where we pass, as it were, only a few moments 
of our existence. Lift up our thoughts, we beseech thee, 
to the world of our lasting home : teach us to consider this 
life as the beginning of life eternal ; and, O holy and mer- 
ciful Father, who workest in us bodi to will and to do, help 
us by thy grace to cast out all evil dispositions, to be un- 
wearied in well-doing, and to cherish every heavenly affec- 
tion ; that we may begin now to live as those who with 
humble but joyous hope look forvrard to dwelling for ever 
with thee, and Jesus Christ, and the spirits of the just made 
perfect. Amen. 



26S 



SEPTEMBER 25. 



COMFORT the feeble-minded, support the weak, be 
patient toward all men. See that none render evil 
for evil unto any man ; but ever follow that which is good, 
both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. 
Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks : for 
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concernins; vou. 
Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove 
all things; holdfast that which is good. Abstain from all 
appearance of evil. 

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly ; and I 
pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved 
blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

It is the hour of prayer : 

Draw near and bend the knee, 
And fill the calm and holy air 

With voice of melody I 

For smiles from loving eyes 

Have been around our way, 
And lips on which a blessing lies 

Have bidden us to pray. 

Oh I blessed is the hour 

That lifts our hearts on high ! 
Like sunlight when the tempests lower, 

Prayer to the soul is nigh. 

Though dark may be our lot, 

Our eyes be dim with care, 
These saddening thoughts shall trouble not 

This holy hour of prayer. 

OLORD, our heavenly Father : we humbly bow before 
thy throne ; we thank thee that we are the children 
of thy love. Thou hast made us, and not we ourselves. 
Thou watchest over us by night ; thou keepest all our steps 
by day. We can never go from thy presence, nor flee 
from thy Spirit. Thou art holy, just, and wise ; thy com- 
mandments are good. Thy tender mercies are over all 
thy works. O God, bless us, thy lovrly children. Teach 
us thy holy will. Forgive the sins of which we have been 
guilty. And, because we are weak in ourselves, may we 
ever find our stren2:th in God. Amen. 

269 



SEPTEMBER 26, 



HEAR my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications : 
in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteous- 
ness. 

I stretch forth my hands unto thee : my soul thirsteth 
after thee, as a thirsty land. 

Hear me speedily, O Lord t my spirit faileth : hide not 
thy face from me. 

Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning ; 
for in thee do I trust : cause me to know the way wherein 
I should walk ; for I lift up my soul unto thee. 

Teach me to do thy will ; for thou art my God : thy 
spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. 

The Lord my pasture shall prepare, 
And feed me with a shepherd's care ; 
His presence shall my wants supply, 
And guard me with a watchful eye ; 
My noonday walks he shall attend, 
And all my midnight hours defend. 

Though in the paths of death I tread, 
With gloomy horrors overspread, 
My steadfast heart shall fear no ill. 
For thou, O Lord ! art with me still : 
Thy friendly crook shall give me aid. 
And guide me through the dreadful shade. 

OTHOU who dwellest in the heavens, but whom the 
heaven of heavens cannot contain, unto thee do we 
lift up our souls. Encircled by thy protecting arms, may 
we fear no evil ; encompassed by thy pure presence, may 
we commit no sin. When discouraged by difficulty, may we 
look up to thee, from whom cometh our help ; when dis- 
tressed by calamity, may we take refuge in thy mercy. 
Through life, may we always act as seeing him who is 
invisible. In death, may we find our consolation and 
support in Him who, when flesh and heart fail, will be the 
strength of our souls and our portion for ever. Amen. 



270 



SEPTEMBER 27, 



FOR our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and 
our sins testify against us : for our transgressions 
are with us ; and as for our iniquities we know them ; 

In transgressing against the Lord, and departing away 
from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving 
and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. 

But now, O Lord, thou art our Father, we are the clay, 
and thou our potter ; and we are all the work of thy hand. 

Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember ini- 
quity for ever : behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy 
people. 

I will mention the loving-kindness of the Lord, and the 
praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath 
bestowed on us, according to his mercies, and according to 
the multitude of his loving-kindnesses. 

I DO not ask, O Lord, that life may be 

A pleasant road : 
I do not ask that thou wouldst take from mr* 

Aught of its load : 

I do not ask, O Lord, that thou shouldst shed 

Full radiance here ; 
Give but a ray of peace, that I may tread 

\Yith6ut a fear ! 

I do not ask my cross to understand, 

My way to see ; 
Better in darkness just to feel thy hand, 
And follow thee. 

OGOD, our heavenly Father, forgive our slowness of 
heart to believe thy gospel : forgive the rebellion of 
our hearts against thy law ; help us, by that divine grace 
which Jesus promised, to keep thy commandments, to walk 
worthy of the light of thy truth, and to find, in our fellov/- 
ship with Jesus thy Son, the power to overcome all evil ; 
and thus, through our redemption and sanctitication, mani- 
fest tlie riches of thy mercy as shown in Christ, through 
whom to thee be all honor evermore. Amen. 



271 



SEPTEMBER 28. 



AND when he had called the people unto him with his 
disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will 
come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, 
and follow me. 

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it ; but who- 
soever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the 
same shall save it. 

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole 
world, and lose his own soul ? 

Or what shall a man 2:ive in exchanofe for his soul ? 
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my 
words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also 
shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the 
glory of his father with the holy angels. 

On earth we gain by losing, 

And win by failure here ; 
"We scorn the world's poor tinsel, 

The golden crown to wear. 

'Tis by defeat we conquer, 

Grow rich by growing poor ; 
And from our largest givings 

^Ye draw our fullest store. 

Then let the blossoms perish, 

And let the fragrance go ; 
All the surer and the larger 

Is the harvest we shall know. 

All the sweeter and the louder 

Our song of harvest-home, 
When earth's ripe autumn smileth, 

And the reaping-day has come. 

LORD, increase my faith in thee and thy love and truth, 
and in things holy, pure, and blessed, against all dis- 
tracting temptations, and all thoughts and things that lead 
astray. Yea, Lord, increase my faith, after thy will and 
by thy wisdom, in thy life-giving presence, in thy eternal 
hope, in righteousness, peace, and hope of unfading im- 
mortality. Lord, thou alone canst give strength and life. 
Take hold of us with thy right hand, and bear us up and 
lead us on to eternity. Amen. 

272 



SEPTEMBER 29, 



HEAVEN and earth shall pass away : but my words 
shall not pass away. 
Take ye heed, watch and pray : for ye know not when 
the time is. 

For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, 
who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and 
to every man his work, and commanded the porter to 
watch. 

Watch ye therefore : for ye know not when the master 
of the house cometh. 

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. 

Only waiting, till the shadows 

Are a little longer grown ; 
Only waiting, till the glimmer 

Of the day's last beam is flown ; 
Till the light of earth is faded 

From the heart once full of day ; 
Till the stars of heaven are breaking 

Through the twilight soft and gray. 

Only waiting till the reapers 

Have the last sheaf gathered home ; 
For the summer-time is faded, 

And the autumn winds have come. 
Quickly, reapers, — gather quickly 

These last ripe hours of my heart ; 
For the bloom of life is withered, 

And I hasten to depart. 

OGOD, to the direction of thy wise and renewing 
providence we trustfully commit ourselves. Safe 
under thy protection and happy in thy favor, we would 
cheerfully follow whither thou art pleased to lead us. We 
desire only that portion of the good things of this life 
which thou seest to be fit for us, and would shrink from 
no trial which our souls need. Be with us this comino- dav 
and night, and in all coming time. In health and sickness, 
in life and death, may we lift up our souls to thee, and 
make thy love our confidence and joy ; and may we so pass 
through the changing scenes of this present world that we 
may be prepared for the higher service and joy of the 
world to come. Amen. 



SEPTEMBER 30. 

AND he said unto them. Is a candle brought to be put 
under a bushel, or under a bed ? and not to be set 
on a candlestick ? 

For there is nothins: hid, vrhich shall not be manifested : 
neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come 
abroad. 

And he said luito them, Take heed what ye hear. With 
what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you ; and 
unto vou that hear shall more be o'iven. 

For he that hath, to him shall be given ; and he that hath 
not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. 

Oh, help us, Lord ! each hour of need 

Thy heave:vv s--ccvr rive : 
Help in :iv-;,\::. vvrd. in deed, 

Each hour on earrh we live. 
Oh, help us, when our spirits bleed, 

With doub- ' ^ . - vv : 
And when ou: - .ire c:ii .^nd dead, 

Oh, help us. Lord, the more. 

Oh, help us, throi: ~:i the prayer of faith, 

More firmly :o beiieve; 
For still the more the ser^-ant hath, 

The more shall he receive. 
Oh, help us, Father ! from on high ; 

We know no be'y^ b?: :bee ; 
Oh, help us s j : j bve ^nd die. 

As thine in heaven to be 1 

OTHOU who art the great Creator, when we worship 
before thy throne, we thank thee that we may call 
thee Father. Thou doest all things well. Thou love?: all 
whom thou hast created. Thy svn shines on the v:s: ivd :he 
unjust. Thy rains fall on the thankful and the un^' vl. 
We pray that, like thee, heavenly Father, we may .c vc all 
the members of thy family. Give us hearts to pity the 
suffering, to relieve the poor, to care for the sick, to be- 
friend the friendless, to do good to all as we have opportu- 
nity. We thank thee for thy dear Son who came to seek 
and save the lost. May his spirit rule in our hearts, and 
to thee be the glory evermore. Amen. 

^r4 



OCTOBER 1. 



BEHOI^D, there went out a sower to sow : 
And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the 
way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 

And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much 
earth ; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no 
depth of earth : 

But when the sun was up, it was scorched ; and because 
it had no root, it withered away. 

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, 
and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 

And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that 
sprang up and increased, and brought forth, some thirty, 
and some sixty, and some a hundred. 

O God ! who knowest how frail we are, 
How soon the thought of good departs : 
We pray that thou wouldst feed the fount 
Of holy yearning in our hearts. 

Let not the choking cares of earth 
The precious springs of life o'ergrow ; 
But, ever guarded by thy love, 
Still purer may their waters flow. 

To thee, with sweeter hope and trust, 
Be every day our spirits given ; 
And may we, while we walk on earth, 
Walk more as citizens of heaven. 

MOST merciful God, who art righteous in all thy ways 
and holy in all thy works, and knowest our secret 
thoughts : help us, thy children, to obey thy voice and to 
serve thee with all our souls. That we may not fall into 
sin, may be watchful night and day. Make us more 
deeply grieved when we offend thee, more glad to give thee 
our whole hearts. May we shun those who would lead us 
astray. Make our hearts clean in thy sight. Help us to 
confess our faults, and to lay aside our easily besetting sins. 
May we run with patience the race that is set before us. 
O thou Lover of souls, grant thy mighty help to all thy 
children, that we may do thy blessed will, and reach the 
house of many mansions. Amen. 



275 



OCTOBER 2. 



AND Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in 
God. 

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto 
this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the 
sea ; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe 
that those things which he saith shall come to pass ; he 
shall have whatsoever he saith. 

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, 
when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall 
have them. 

And wdien ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught 
against any ; that your Father also which is in heaven may 
forgive you your trespasses. 

But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which 
is in heaven forgive your trespasses. 

Holy Spirit, Truth divine, 
Dawn upon this soul of mine ; 
Word of God, and Inward Light, 
Wake my spirit, clear my sight ! 

Holy Spirit, Love divine, 
Glow within this heart of mine ; 
Kindle every high desire ; 
Perish self in thy pure fire ! 

Holy Spirit, Power divine, 
Fill and ntrve this will of mine : 
By thee may I strongly live, 
Bravely bear and nobly strive ! 

OUR Father in heaven, we thank thee for the gift ot 
life, freshly renewed to us from day to day. Help 
us to feel that we are not our own, but thine. Grant that 
we walk this day steadfastly in the way of thy command- 
ments. Create within us an obedient and loving heart. 
Inspire us with the spirit that shall watch for the signs of 
thy good pleasure, and run to do thy holy bidding. Con- 
fessing with sorrow our past disobedience, may our will 
henceforth be conformed to thine. Speak, Lord, and let 
thy servants hear ; and give us strength faithfully to follow 
thy teaching evermore. Amen. 



276 



OCTOBER 3. 



FOR with thee is the fountain of life ; in thy Hght shall 
we see light. 

O send out thy light and thy truth ; let them lead me : let 
them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles 

In him was life : and the life was the light of men. 

And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness 
comprehendeth it not. 

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that 
Cometh into the w^orld. 



Walk in the light ! so shalt thou know 

That fellowship of love 
His spirit only can bestow, 

Who reigns in light above. 

Walk in the light ! and thou shalt find 

Thy heart made truly his, 
Who dwells in cloudless light enshrined, 

In whom no darkness is. 

Walk in the light ! and thou shalt own 

Thy darkness passed away : 
Because that light hath on thee shone 

In which is perfect day. 

Walk in the light ! and thine shall be 
A path, though thorny, bright ; 

For God, by grace, shall dwell in thee, 
And God himself is light. 



iVTHER, we thank thee for our nature made in thine 



image, and for the revelations of truth and inspira- 
tions of good which thou makest therein ; for the grand 
knowledge of thyself, full of infinite perfection, doing good 
to all, and making all things w^ork together for good. We 
remember before thee our daily lives. Gifted with a nature 
capable of divine life, and surrounded w^ith privilege so 
abundant, we mourn that we should ever cherish unholy 
sentiments or perform unrighteous deeds, that stain our 
purity. We take to ourselves shame and confusion of face ; 
and pray that we may learn to cast all evil behind us, and 
live nobler and more natural lives of inward piety and out- 
ward goodness toward thee and toward all. Amen. 





277 



OCTOBER 4. 



FINALLY, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in 
the power of his might. 
Put on tlie whole armor of God, that ye may be able to 
stand against the wiles of the devil. 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against, 
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the 
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high 
places. 

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that 
ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having 
done ailj to stand. 

The Christian warrior, see him stand 

In the whole armor of his God; 
The spirit's sword is in his hand, 

His feet are with the gospel shod, 

In panoply of truth complete, 

Salvation's helmet on his head, 
With righteousness, a breastplate meet, 

And faith's broad shield before him spread, — 

With this omnipotence he moves ; 

From this the alien armies flee ; 
Till more than conqueror he proves. 

Through Christ, who gives him victory. 

Thus strong in his Redeemer's strength. 
Sin, death, and hell he tramples down. 

Fights the good fight, and wins at length, 
Through mercy, an immortal crown. 

OGOD, who by thy Holy Spirit dost comfort, direct 
and sanctify the hearts of thy faithful servants : spare 
us, good Lord. From all blindness of heart ; from pride, 
vain-glory, and hypocrisy ] from envy, hatred, and malice, 
and all uncharitableness ; from fleshly lusts that war against 
the soul ; from the deceits of the world ; from the counsel 
of the ungodly, and from all sin, good Lord, deliver us. 
In all time of our tribulation ; in all time of our wealth ; 
in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, O Lord, 
be thou our hope and our stay fon ever. Amen. 



278 



OCTOBER 5. 



WHEREFORE take unto you the whole armor of 
God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil 
day, and having done all, to stand. 

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, 
and having on the breastplate of righteousness ; and your 
feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace : 
above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be 
able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the 
Spirit, which is the word of God : praying always with all 
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there- 
unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. 

Awake, my soul ! lift up thine eyes ; 
See where thy foes against thee rise ; 
In long array, a numerous host, — 
Awake, my soul, or thou art lost. 

Thou tread'st upon enchanted ground ! 
Perils and snares beset thee round ; 
Beware of ail, guard every part, 
But most the traitor in thy heart. 

Come then, my soul, now learn to wield 
The weight of thine immortal shield ; 
Put on the armor from above. 
Of heavenly truth and heavenly love. 

The terror and the charm repel, 
And powers of earth, and powers of hell ; 
The Man of Calvary triumphed here, — ~ 
Why should his faithful followers fear } 

O GOD, our heavenly Father, who by thy Son callest 
the wanderers home : have mercy upon us. We be- 
seech thee to hear us, O Lord God, that it may please 
thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have eried 
and are deceived ; that it may please thee to strengthen 
such as do stand, and to comfort and help the weak- 
hearted, and to raise up them that fall, and finally to give 
us the victory over temptation, and grant us thy peace 
evermore. Amen. 



279 



OCTOBER 6. 



ALL the commandments which I command thee this 
day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live. 
And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord 
thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to 
humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine 
heart, whether thou wouldst keep his commandments, or no. 

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and 
fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did 
thy fathers know j that he might make thee know that man 
doth not live by bread only, but by every word that pro- 
ceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. 

Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the 
Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. 

Fountain of light and living breath, 

Whose mercies never fail nor fade ! 
Fill me with life that hath no death, 

Fill me v^ith light that hath no shade ; 
Appoint the remnant of my days, 
To see thy power, and sing thy praise. 

Lord God of gods, before whose throne 
Stand storms and fire 1 oh, what shall we 
. ' Return to heaven that is our own, 

When all the world belongs to thee ? 

We have no offering to impart 

But praises, and a wounded h'eart. 

BLESSED Lord, we thank thee for signs of thy Provi- 
dence and inspiration in many lands ; and we desire 
of thee the gifts of patience, soberness, and sincerity, so to 
read the letter of things written in old time that thy Holy 
Spirit may ever live in us, and that we may so remember 
the story of things temporal as ever to worship the unseen 
God, who is eternal. Grant us the grace of humility to 
cherish wisdom, and to obey righteousness, and to discern 
the difference between things holy and unhallowed. Teach 
us that all souls are precious in thy sight ; and that prayer 
is holier than incense, and obedience better than oblation. 
Even so. Lord dwell among us by thy lively Spirit, that we 
may become holy in thy sight, and that we may become thy 
people, and thou our God for evermore. Amen. 

280 



OCTOBER 7 



BE not faithless, but believing. 
Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed ; 
blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 
Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief. 
This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, that tHou 
by them mightest war a good warfare ] holding faith and a 
good conscience : which some having put away, concern- 
ing faith have made shipwreck. 

I ASK not wealth, but po\Yer to take 

And use the things I have aright ; 
Not years, but wisdom that shall make 

My life a profit and delight. 

I ask not that for me the plan 

Of good and ill be set aside ; 
But that the common lot of man 

Be nobly borne and glorified. 

I know I may not always keep 

My steps in places green and sweet, 

Nor find the pathway of the deep 
A path of safety to my feet ; 

But pray that when the tempest's breath 
Shall fiercely sweep my way about, 

I make not shipwreck of my faith 
In the unfathomed sea of doubt. 

GIVER of all good, and Fountain of all joy : what rich 
feasts does thy fatherly love offer anew with each 
returning morning ! How hast thou filled the earth with 
bounty and adorned it with beaut}-" ! We see thy mercy 
freshly revealed in the light and privilege of this new day. 
Again we hear thy gracious invitation to come up higher and 
enjoy the felicity of heavenly things. May we hear and 
heed the call of thy Spirit to leave the low places of sense 
and sin, and become coworkers with God. May we know 
the glory of true life, and live not for the things that perish, 
but for the joys that are eternal. Remembering our great 
vocation, may we live worthily as children of the Most 
High and heirs of immortality. Amen. 



281 



OCTOBER 8. 

THE light of the body is the eye : therefore when thine 
eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light ; 
but when tliine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. 
Take heed, therefore, that the light which is in thee be :::: 
darkness. 

• If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no 
part dark, the whole shall be full of 1:^1::. as v,hen the 
bright shinmg of a candle doth give thee light. 

Spirit of power and truth, and love ! 
Who sitt^st enthroned in light above. 
Descend, and bear us on thy wings 
Far rroiii these low and fleeting things. 

'Tis thine the wounded sru' :o heal ; 
'Tis thine to make the ir. ed feel ; 
Thine to give light to biiricei eves, 
And bid the earth-bound spin: rise. 

Come, Holy Spirit, like the nre. 
With burning zeal our souls inspire : 
Come, like the south wind, breathing bairn ; 
Our joys refresh, cur passions cairn; 

Come like the sun's enlightening beam ; 
Come like the cooling, cleansing stream ; 
With all thy graces present be : 
Spirit of God, we wait for thee. 

OGOD. whose blessed light fills the world: unseal our 
eyes, and come thou into our rnirids, that we maybe- 
bold thy glor}^ We thank thee for the inspirarion that 
gives understanding, and that., iuiird by tiiee. we may i^a r v 
the truth, and in it find freecom aacl 5::eug:u. We oc -vail 
the errors and ignorance that give such uav :r:hy concep- 
tions of thee and th}^ dealings ^dth rue srus of raeu. H: v 
poorly have we learned to know thee as our Father aa i 
best Friend ! Oh, may the pure light of the gosuri irra ai.rte 
all souls with its gladdening beams ! Grant us tire b°cs^c :l 
light; may we not hide it under a bushel. May v, r br as a 
city set on a hill. May we remember our resp: as: / ; 
the account we must give for the use of our talents. L: rd. 
stir us up to ever-increasing activity in the service of ihy 
truth in the world. Amen. 

282 



OCTOBER 9. 



JESUS saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the 
life. 

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light 
of the world ; he that followeth me shall not walk in dark- 
ness, but shall have the light of life. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begot- 
ten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 
but have everlasting life. 

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the 
world ] but that the world through him might be saved 

O THOU, great friend to all the sons o£ men, 
Who once appeared in humblest guise below. 

Sin to rebuke, to break the captive's chain. 

And call thy brethren forth from want and woe ; 

We look to thee ! thy truth is still the Light 

Which guides the nations, groping on their way, 

Stumbling and falling in disastrous night, 
Yet hoping ever for the perfect day. 

Yes ! thou art still the Life ; thou art the wav 

The holiest know, — light, life, and way of heaven ! 

And they who dearest hope, and deepest pray, 
Toil by the light, life, way, which thou hast given. 

OGOD, whose blessed Son was manifested that he 
might destroy the works of darkness, and make us 
the sons of God and heirs of eternal life : grant us, we be- 
seech thee, that having this hope we may purify ourselves 
even as he is pure ; that, when we are called away from 
this world, we may be made like unto him in his eternal 
and glorious kingdom. O God our Father, Author of every 
good and perfect gift, who delightest above all to impart of 
thine own ever-blessed Spirit : oh! may the devout considera- 
tion of all thy benefits increase the grateful fervor of our 
minds, and make us always so' ready and Avell-disposed to 
obey the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that in all our trials 
and difficulties here below thv unerrino; wisdom mav be 
our guide, and the blessed communications of thy grace 
our never-ceasing consolation and joy. Amen. 

2S3 . 



OCTOBER 10. 




ND God saw every thing that he had made, and behold 



This is the day which the Lord hath made ; we will re- 
joice and be glad in it. 

Thou wilt shew me the path of life : in thy presence is 
fullness of joy : at thy right hand there are pleasures for 
evermore. 

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places : yea, I 
have a goodly heritage. 

Whate'er of good the past hath had 
Remains to make our own time glad, — 
Our common daily life divine, 
And every land a Palestine. 

O Friend, we need not rock nor sand, 
Nor storied realm of morning land ; 
We lack but open eye and ear 
. To find the Orient's marvels here. 

Through clouds of doubt and creeds of fear 
A light is breaking calm and clear. 
The song of love, now low and far, 
Ere long shall swell from star to star ! 

Henceforth my heart shall sigh no more 
For olden time and holier shore ; 
God's love and blessing then and there 
Are now and here and everywhere. 

/^UR Father and best Friend, on earth as in heaven : may 



we know that thy loving-kindness so richly shown in 
the olden time is with thy children still. Thou art more 
ready to grant thy favor than we are to ask or even to re- 
ceive it. Thy love pursues us even in our wandering. 
When we go down to the dark places of sin, we find thee 
punishing that thou mayest redeem. When our best aspira- 
tions rise to heaven, there we find thee graciously blessing 
us beyond all that eye hath seen or heart conceived. 
Borne up by thy loving-kindness, may we know the bless- 
edness of true life. And may it be the supreme desire of 
our souls to glorify God and enjoy him for ever. Amen. 



it was very good. 




284 



OCTOBER 11. 



AND they drew nigh unto the village, whither they 
went ; and he made as though he would have gone 

further. 

But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us : for it 
is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went 
in to tarry with them. 

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn 
within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he 
opened to us the Scriptures ? 

If a man love me he will keep my word ; and my Father 
will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our 
abode with him. 

I NEED thy presence every passing hour. — 
What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power? 
Who like thyself my guide and stay can be ? 
Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me ! 

I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless ; 
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness. 
Where is Death's sting ? where, Grave, thy victory ? 
I triumph still, if thou abide with me ! 

OGOD, who by thy dear Son hast opened unto us a new 
and living way into thy holy presence : grant to us, 
we beseech thee, the assurance of thy mercy, and sanctify 
us by thy heavenly grace ; that we, approaching thee with 
a pure heart and undefiled conscience, may offer unto thee 
the sacrifice of righteousness, and celebrate thy blessed 
name in the faith and spirit of thy Son Jesus Christ. O 
God, our heavenly Father, by whose providence both the 
day and the night are governed : vouchsafe, we beseech 
thee, this day to presei*ve us by thy goodness, and this night 
to overshadow us by the blessed wing of thy most bountiful 
protection ; that we, being armed with thy defence, may be 
preserved from all adversities that may hurt the body, and 
from all wicked thoughts that may assault and defile the 
soul. Amen. 



28s 



OCTOBER 12- 



IWILL walk before the Lord in the land of the living. 
What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits 
toward me ? 

Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of him ! or the 
son of man, that thou makest account of him ! 

Man is like a vapor: his days are as a shadow that 
passe th away. 

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name 
give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. 

But our God is in the heavens ; he hath done whatsoever 
he pleased. 

All as God wills, who wisely heeds, 

To give or to withhold, 
And knoweth more of all my needs 

Than all my prayers have told. 
Enough that blessings undeserved 

Have marked my erring track ; 
That wheresoe'er my feet have swerved, 

Thy chastening drove me back ; 

That more and more a providence 

Of love is understood, 
Making the springs of time and sense 

Bright with eternal good ; 
That death seems but a covered way 

Which opens into light. 
Wherein no blinded child can stray 

Beyond the Father's sight. 

FATHER, before thee we would remember our daily 
duties and trials. May we have such earnest con- 
fidence and obedience toward thee that we shall reverence 
and keep thy commands, and serve thee every day, making 
our life one great act of holiness unto thee. May our 
actions be so ordered by the golden rule that by our toil 
mankind shall be blessed. When temptations beset us, 
and passion within is allied with opportunity wherein we 
have so often gone astray, may the spirit of religion be so 
strong in our souls that it shall enable us to conquer evil 
and prove ourselves stronger from every trial. Help us, 
O Father, in life's varied experience to prepare for thy 
nearer presence and higher service. Amen. 

286 



OCTOBER 13. 

OMY people, come, and let us walk in the light of the 
Lord j 

Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and 
the wilderness be a fmitful field, and the fruitful field be 
counted for a forest. 

And the work of righteousness shall be peace ; and the 
effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever. 

And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, 
and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places. 

They also that erred in spirit shall come to understand- 
ing, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine. 

Begin the day with God ! 

He is thy sun and day ; 
His is the radiance of thy dawn, 

To him address thy lay. 

Cast every weight aside ! 

Do battle with each sin ; 
Fight with the faithless world without, 

The faithless heart within. 

Thv first transaction be 

With God himself above ; 
So shall thy business prosper well, 

And all the day be love. 

OTHOU eternal One in whom is our life : thou hast 
appointed our work, and to thee we vrould come for 
strength to perform it. Thine infinite purity puts to shame 
in us whatever is mean and low. Turn us from vanit}", and 
fill us with thine own spirit of truth and love. IMore and 
more fill us with pity for others' woes ; with the charity of 
them that remember their own unworthiness ; with the 
alacrit}' of mortals who may not boast of the morrow ; and 
the glad hope of children of eternity. Lead us in the 
straight paths of simplicity and holiness ; and may neither 
the praise nor blame of men betray us into any false step. 
And when our last hour- comes, may thy gracious angels 
bear us from these scenes of time. Mav we rest in the 
peace and joy of eternity. And unto thee. Lord of the living 
and the dying, be thanks and praise for ever. Amen. 

287 



OCTOBER 14. 



AND they heard a great voice from heaven, saying unto 
them, Come up hither. 
And there were great voices in heaven, saying, The 
kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our 
Lord, and of his Christ ; and he shall reign for ever and 
ever. And the four and twenty elders which sat before 
God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped 
God, saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, 
which art, and wast, and art to come : because thou hast 
taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 

Look up, look up, my soul, still higher ; 
On to the heavenly goal aspire, 

On God's love ever leaning : 
Burst this dull earth's control, and wing 
Thy way where no clouds roll, and sing 

Thy deep heart's inner meaning. 

A little longer wait ; be brave 

To bear what men call fate ; the gi'ave 

Stands open as heaven's ^Dortal : 
Narrow indeed that gate, and so 
The way it shows is straight, — but lo ! 

It brings thee joy immortal. 

OTHOU who alone art from everlasting, without be- 
ginning of days or end of years : amid the changes 
of mortality we rejoice that we can look up to thee, who 
endurest for ever. Heaven and earth shall pass away ; 
but thou remainest, and wilt never fail those who put their 
trust in thee, nor hide thy face from those who love thee. 
We render thee humble and hearty thanks for the mercy 
with which our lives are sustained and blessed. Thou 
alone preservest us ; in thy hands are our life and breath, 
and thine are all our ways. Forgive us for duties neglected 
or sins committed. Quicken our consciences ; sanctify 
our hearts. Make us more pure, humble, and devout ; 
teach us so to number our days that we may apply our 
hearts unto wisdom ; and may we so serve thee as to be 
prepared for the joy immortal. Amen. 



288 



OCTOBER 15. 



OSING unto the Lo.rd a new song: for he hath done 
marvellous thuigs : his right hand, and his holy 
arm, hath gotten him the victory. 2^Iake a joyful noise 
unto the Lord, all the earth : make a loud noise, and re- 
joice and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the voice 
of a psalm ; make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King. 
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof : the world, and 
they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands : 
let the hills be joyful together before the Lord ; for he 
Cometh to judge the earth : with righteousness shall he 
judge the world, and the people with equit}'. 

The Lord is king ! who then shall dare 
Resist his will, distrust his care, 
Or munTLur at his wise decrees, 
Or doubt his royal promises ? 

Come, make your wants, your burdens, known, 
He will accept them at the throne ; 
And ano;ei bands are waitins; there 
His messages of. love to bear. 

Oh ! when his wisdom can mistake, 
His might decay, his love forsake. 
Then may his children cease to sing 
The Lord omnipotent is king. 

MOST gracious Father, pardon, we humbly beseech 
thee, our many and grievous transgressions. Take 
from us all impurity of thought or desire j all envy, pride, 
and hypocrisy ; all falsehood and deceit; all covetousness, 
vain-glory, and indolence ; all malice and anger ; every 
thing that is contrary to thy will, O most holy Lord. Lord, 
make clean our hearts within us. Save us, O Lord God, 
from ingratitude towards thee, from an evil use of thy 
fatherly gifts, from mistrust in thy divine providence, from 
impatience and despondency. Save us from immoderate 
care for temporal things, and from neglect of those things 
which are eternal. Remember, we beseech thee, thy 
ancient mercies ; and, though we have not shown the love 
and duty of sons, yet do not thou cast off the kindness and 
compassion of a father. Hear us, O Lord ; for our trust 
is in thee. Amen. 

s 289 



ilil 



OCTOBER 16 



OR we know that, if our earthly house of this taber- 



X nacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a 
house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 

For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed 
upon with our house which is from heaven, if so be that 
being clothed, we shall not be found naked. 

For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being bur- 
dened ; not for that we w^ould be unclothed, but clothed 
upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 



Our beloved have departed 
While we tarry, heavy-hearted, 

In the dreary, empty house : 
They have ended life's brief story, 
They have reached the home of glory. 

Over death victorious. 

On we haste, to home invited, 
There with friends to be united 

In a surer bond than here ; 
Meeting soon and met for ever : 
Glorious hope, forsake us never, 

For thy glimmering light is dear. 

Ah ! the way is shining clearer, 
As we journey ever nearer 

To the everlasting home ; 
Comrades, who await our landing, 
Friends, who round the throne are standing. 

We salute you, and we come. 



E praise and thank thee, O God, for all thy faithful 



V V servants who have departed this life : mercifully 
grant, w^e beseech thee, that we, being compassed about 
with so great a cloud of witnesses, may lay aside every 
weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run 
with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto 
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. O Lord, bless 
all thy people, and may the kingdom of thy Son increase 
and shine throughout the world. Amen. 





290 



OCTOBER 17. 



OGIVE thanks unto the Lord ; for he is good : be- 
cause his mercy endureth for ever. 
The Lord is on my side ; I will not fear : what can man 
do unto me ? 

The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my 
salvation. 

The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles 
of the righteous : the right hand of the Lord doeth won- 
derfully. 

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the 
Lord. 

Open to me the gates of righteousness : I will go into 
them, and I will praise the Lord. 

Come, my soul, thou must be waking! 
Now is breaking 
O'er the earth another day. 
Come to him who made this splendor; 
See thou render 
All thy feeble strength can pay. 

Gladly hail the sun returning ; 
Ready burning 
Be the incense of thy powers : 
For the night is safely ended, — 
God hath tended 
With his care thy helpless hours. 

Pray that he may prosper ever 
Each endeavor. 
When thine aim is good and true ; 
But that he may ever thwart thee, 
And convert thee, 
When thou evil wouldst pursue. 

OGOD, mercifully accept the prayers of thy children 
throughout the world, which shall this day be offered 
at the footstool of thy throne : give us grace to prepare our 
hearts, that we may serve thee with reverence and godly 
fear: grant us a true apprehension of thy divine majesty, 
and a deep sense of our unworthiness ; that so, approach- 
ing thy presence with lowliness and devotion, we may 
present an offering acceptable to thee, and in the spirit 
of him who hath taught us how to pray. Amen. 

291 



OCTOBER 18. 



HAVE not I commanded thee ? Be strong and of a 
good courage , be not afraid, neither be thou dis- 
mayed : for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever 
thou goest. 

Be ye therefore veiy courageous to keep and to do all 
that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye 
turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left j 

But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done 
unto this day. 

Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love 
the Lord your God. 

Again, O Lord, I ope mine eyes 

Thy glorious light to see, 
And share the gifts so largely lent 
To thankless man by thee. 

And wherefore do I live and breathe ? 

And wherefore have I still 
The mind to know, the sense to choose, 

The strength to do thy will 

Is it to grow unto the world 

As glides the world from me ; 
Be one day nearer to the grave. 

And further. Lord, from thee ? 

No ! thus too many days I've spent, 

To thee, then, this be given ; 
Teach what I owe to man below, 

And to thyself in heaven. 

WE bless thee. Almighty Father, for life, and for the 
knowledge of its' origin and its end. Thou hast 
created us, and not we ourselves. Thou art the Father of 
our spirits ; and the mysterious life that is in us is thine 
own inspiration. Thou hast encompassed us with the 
means and opportunities of a divine life. Light shines 
from heaven. In Jesus Christ we have a living revelation 
of thy will, and our duty as thy children ; and he has 
called us to be perfect as thou art perfect. Every object 
we behold is a memorial of thy love ; every event of life 
speaks to us of thee. May we be more worthy of thy 
favor, now and for ever. Amen. 

292 



OCTOBER 19. 



ALL that the Father giveth me shall come to me ; and 
him that cometh to me I will m no wise cast out. 
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, 
but the will of him that sent me. 

And this is the Father s will which hath sent me, that of 
all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but 
should raise it up again at the last day. 

It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all 
taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and 
hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me 
hath everlasting life. 

Feeble, helpless, how shall, I 
Learn to live and learn to die? 
Who, O God, my guide shall be ? 
Who shall lead thy child to thee? 
Blessed Father, gracious One, 
Thou hast sent thy holy Son ; 
He will give the light I need, 
He my trembling steps will lead. 

Through this world, uncertain, dim, 
Let me ever learn of him ; 
From his precepts wisdom draw, 
Make his life my solemn law. 
Thus in deed, and thought, and word, 
Led by Jesus Christ the Lord, 
In my weakness, thus shall I 
Learn to live and learn to die. 

OGOD, whose blessed Son was manifested that he 
might create us anew and make us sons of God and 
heirs of eternal life : grant, we beseech thee, that, having 
this hope, we may purify ourselves even as he is pure ; and 
that w^e may be more and more conformed to his likeness 
until our lives' end, and then be admitted into thy glorious 
and everlasting kingdom. O Lord, who hast taught us 
that all our doings, without charit}', are nothing worth : 
send thy Holy Spirit, and pour into our hearts that most 
excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all 
virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead 
before thee. Amen. 



293 



OCTOBER 20. 



MARVELLOUS things did he in the sight of our 
fathers. 

He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through ; 
and he made the waters to stand as an heap. 

In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the 
night with a light of fire. 

He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink 
as out of the great depths. 

He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused 
waters to run down like rivers. 

He commanded the clouds from above, and opened the 
doors of heaven, 

And rained down manna upon them to eat, and gave them 
of the corn of heaven. 

Man did eat angels' food : he sent them meat to the full. 

He sendeth san, he sendeth shower ; 
Alike they're needful for the flower ; 
And joys and tears alike are sent 
To give the soul fit nourishment : 
As comes to me or cloud or sun, 
Father, thy will, not mine, be done ! 

Can loving children e'er reprove 

With murmurs whom they trust and love 

Creator ! I would ever be 

A trusting, loving child to thee : 

As comes to me or cloud or sun, 

Father, thy will, not mine, be done ! 

OGOD, merciful Father, that despiseth not the sighing 
of a contrite heart, nor the desire of such as be sor- 
rowful : mercifully assist our prayers that we make before 
thee in all our troubles and adversities, whensoever they 
oppress us ; and grant that we, thy servants, may evermore 
give thanks unto thee. O God, we have heard with our ears, 
and our fathers have declared unto us, the noble works that 
thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them. 
Both now and ever, vouchsafe to defend us, O Lord. Piti- 
fully behold the sorrows of our hearts. Mercifully forgive 
the sins of thy people. O Lord, let thy mercy be showered 
upon us, as we do put our trust in thee. Amen. 

294 



OCTOBER 21. 



WHEN the ear heard me, then it blessed me ; and 
when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me : 
Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the father- 
less, and him that had none to help him. 

The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon 
me : and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. 

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me :.my judgment 
was as a robe and a diadem. 

I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. 
I was a father to the poor : and the cause which I knew 
not I searched out. My glory was fresh in me, and my 
bow was renewed in my hand. Unto me men gave ear, 
and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. 

- Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock 
of corn Cometh in in his season. 

Full-handed, glowing autumn 

God's loving-kindness crowns ; 
O'er all the earth his goodness 

In fruitfulness abounds. 
In golden fields of harvest 

His bounty largely flows ; 
O'er painted woods his glory 

In gorgeous radiance glows. 

In the good man's face so shineth 

The glory of the Lord ; 
So in his heart aboundeth 

The fruitage of the word ; 
Like full-ripe corn in harvest, 

When comes life's reaping-time, 
He shall be safely garnered 

In heaven's purer clime. 

FATHER, we thank thee for the faithful souls that have 
blessed the world, whose lives shine as the light ; 
holy ones who have feared God, who have bravely upheld 
the right, and generously lived for others' good ; who have 
freely chosen suffering rather than sin, and felt thy favor 
to be better than life. Oh, may their pure and noble lives 
animate and quicken our hearts ! And in our souls may 
there burn a desire like them to become true children of 
God. Amen. 



29s 



OCTOBER 22. 



UNTO thee, 0 Lord, do I lift up my soul. 
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence 
Cometh my help. 

Be careful for nothing; but in everything, by prayer 
and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be 
known unto God. 

Pray without ceasing. 

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into 
a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to 
God. 

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, 

Unutterecl or expressed, 
The motion of a hidden fire 

Tliat trembles in the breast. 
Prayer is the burden of a sigh, 

The falling of a tear, 
The upward glancing of an eye 

When none but God is near. 

Prayer is the simplest form of speech 

That infant lips can try ; 
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach 

The ?vlajesty on high. 
Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, 

The Christian's native air, 
His watchword at the gates of death, 

He enters heaven with prayer. 

O BLESSED and eternal God, enable us to understand 
and make use of all the proper helps of duty ; and 
kindle in our souls a flame of devotion wdiich no difficulty 
or contradiction, no infirmity within or persecution without, 
may ever extinguish. Give us grace that we may in all 
things ask first what is thy good pleasure, follow the best 
examples, do the noblest charities ; ever pressing forward 
to the mark of our high calling in Christ Jesus. Grant that 
we may keep watch against the omission of any part of our 
duty, and the neglect of any opportunity by which thou 
canst be glorified, or any fellow-man instructed, assisted, or 
comforted. Amen. 



296 



OCTOBER 23 



THE memorial of virtue is immortal ; because it is 
known with God, and with men. 
Wlien it is jDresent, men take example at it ; and when 
it is gone they desire it : it weareth a crown, and tri- 
umpheth for ever, having gotten the victory, striving for 
undefiled rewards. 

For honorable age is not that wdiich standeth in length 
of time, nor that is measured by number of years ; but 
wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is 
old age. 

Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the. 
ungodly which are living : and youth that is soon perfected, 
the many years and old age of the unrighteous. 



We have not wings, we cannot soar ; 

But we have feet to scale and climb, 
By slow degrees, by more and more, 

The cloudy summits of our time. 

All common things — each day's events, 
That with the hour begin and end ; 

Our pleasures and our discontents ■ — 
Are rounds by which we may ascend. 

The heights by great men reached and kept, 
Were not attained by sudden flight ; 

But they, while their companions slept. 
Were toiling upward in the night. 



HEAVENLY Father, who hast kindly awakened us to 
renewed life, as we go forth this day, may a lively 
sense of duty so penetrate and sanctify our humblest 
labors, that, Vvhether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, 
we shall live to thy glory. To the great principles of right 
illustrated in Jesus may we unreservedly commit ourselves, 
and follow without faltering v/herever they shall show the 
way. And though they summon us to surrender our dearest 
earthly interests, may we Avillingly give up all outward 
good for the richer satisfactions to which they surely lead. 
Amen. 




297 



OCTOBER 24. 



WE are troubled on every side, yet not distressed ; we 
are perplexed, but not in despair ; persecuted, but 
not forsaken j cast down, but not destroyed ; always bear- 
ing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that 
the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 

For which cause we faint not ; but though our outward 
man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 

For our light afflictionj which is but for a moment, 
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of 
gloiy ; while we look not at the things which are seen, but 
at the things which are not seen : for the things which are 
seen are temporal ; but the things which are not seen are 
eternal. 

Give me a faith shall never fail, 
One that shall always work by love ; 
And then, v^-hatever foes assail, 
They shall but higher courage move : 
More boldly for the truth to strive, 
And more by faith in thee to live. 

A heart, that when my days are glad, 
]\Iay never from thy way decline, 
And when the sky of life grows sad, 
May still submit its will to thine, — 
A heart that loves to trust in thee, 
A patient heart, create in me ! 

OGOD, thou art our hope and our strength, a very 
present help in time of need. Look down upon us 
with thy fatherly pity, and give us hearts wholly resigned 
to thy divine will. May we have such firm confidence in 
thy good providence as not to increase our trouble by our 
own infirmities. Take from us gloomy forebodings and a 
spirit of fear. Blessed be thy name, our sorrows are finite 
and temporal, less than our sins, and infinitely less than 
thy mercies. Oh 1 may it be our great care to please thee, 
our onlv fear lest we should sin asrainst thee. Let thv 
loving-kindness be our portion, thy Spirit our guide, thy 
law the rule of our conduct ; and so with patience may we 
wait till this cloud is passed over. Amen, 

298 



OCTOBER 25, 



TAKE heed, and beware of covetousness ; for a man's 
life consisteth not in the abundance of the things 
which he possesseth. 

The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plenti- 
fully : and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I 
do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits ? 

And he said. This will I do : I will pull down my barns, 
and build greater ; and there will I bestow all my fruits and 
my goods. And I will say to my soul. Soul, thou hast 
much goods laid up for many years ; take thine ease, eat, 
drink, and be merry. 

But God said unto him. Thou fool, this night thy soul shall 
be required of thee : then whose shall those things be, which 
thou hast provided ? 

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not 
rich toward God. 

Nothing but leaves ! The spirit grieves 

Over a wasted life ; 
Sin committed while conscience slept, 
Promises made but never kept, 

Hatred, battle, and strife ; 
Nothing but leaves. 

Nothing but leaves ; no garnered sheaves 

Of life's fair, ripened grain ; 
Words, idle words, for earnest deeds ; 
We sow our seeds, — lo ! tares and weeds. 

We reap with toil and pain 
Nothing but leaves. 

And shall we meet the Master so. 

Bearing our withered leaves ? 
The Master looks for perfect fruit, — 
We stand before him, humbled, mute. 

Waiting the words he breathes, — 
" Nothing but leaves } " 

MERCIFULLY pour into our hearts, O Lord God, the 
grace of thy Holy Spirit, that by sighs and tears we 
may wash away the stains of our sins ; and enable us to pre- 
sent our bodies and souls to thee a pure and acceptable 
offering, after the pattern of him who was well-pleasing in 
thy sight. Amen. 

299 



OCTOBER 25. 



EVERY man shall bear his own burden. 
Let him that is taught in the word communicate 
unto him that teacheth in all good things. 

Be not deceived j God is not mocked : for whatsoever a 
man soweth, that shall he also reap. 

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap 
corruption ; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the 
Spirit reap life everlasting. 

And let us not be weary in vrell doing : for in due sea- 
son we shall reap, if we faint not. 

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto 
ill men. 

One by one thy duties wait thee ; 

Let thy whole strength go to each ; 
Let no future dreams elate thee ; 

Learn thou first what these can teach. 

One by one — bright gifts from heaven — 

Joys are sent thee here below ; 
Take them readily when given ; 

Ready be to let them go. 

One by one thy griefs shall meet thee ; 

Do not fear an armed band ; 
One will fade as others gi*eet thee, — 

Shadows passing through the land. 

WE praise thee, 0 God, who hast opened to us thy 
good treasure, and given us rain from heaven and 
fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 
Blessed be God for the plenty wherewith he hath loaded 
the earth. He watcheth over all the earth, and causeth it 
to bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower 
and bread to the eater. Let all the world rejoice and be 
glad in him who prepareth a table for us, and satisfleth 
our mouths with good things, and maketh our cup to run 
over. O that our hearts may overflow with love and thank- 
fulness to thee, O God ; that we may never forget or abuse 
thy goodness ; but by a sober, charitable, and devout use 
of thy blessings, may be made fit for the continual increase 
of them, till they be perfected in eternal life. Amen. 

300 



OCTOBER 27. 



THE hope of the ungodly is like dust that is bloAvn 
away with the wind ; Uke a thin froth that is driven 
away with the storm ; like as the smoke which is dispersed 
here and there with a tempest, and passeth away as the 
remembrance of a o^uest that tarrieth but a dav. 

But the righteous live for evermore ; their reward also is 
with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most 
High. 

Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a 
beautiful crown from the Lord's hand ; for Avith his right 
hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect 
them. 

None was ever left a prey, 
None was ever turned a^Yay, 
Who had given himself to God, 
And on him had cast his load. 

Who in God his hope hath placed 

Shall not life in pain outwaste. 

Fullest joy he yet shall taste. 

I will meet distress and pain, 

I will gi'eet e'en Death's dark reign, 

I will lay me in the grave, 

With a heart still glad -and brave ; 
Whom the strongest doth defend. 
Whom the Highest counts his friend, 
Cannot perish in the end. 

STRENGTHEN us, O God, by the grace of thy Holy 
Spirit. Grant us to be strengthened with might in 
the inner man, and to empty our hearts of all unprofitable 
care and anguish ; not to be drawn aside by sundry temporal 
desires, but to look on all things as passing away, on our- 
selves also as soon to pass away with them. O Lord, grant 
us heavenly wisdom, that we may learn above all things to 
love and delight in thee, and to think of all other things 
as they are according to the disposal of thy wisdom. Thou 
art the true peace of the heart, thou its only rest. Teach 
us, O Lord, to do thy will ; teach us to live worthUy and 
humbly in thy sight. Amen. 



301 



OCTOBER 28. 



A. ND he said unto them, With desire I have desired to 
jr\. eat this passover with you before I suffer. 

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take 
this, and divide it among yourselves : for I say unto you, 
I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom 
of God shall come. 

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and 
gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given 
for you : this do in remembrance of me. 

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying. This cup is 
the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 

O Love divine ! that stooped to share 

Our sharpest pang, our bitterest tear, 
On thee we cast our earth-born care, 

We smile at pain while thou art near J 
Though long the weary way we tread, 

And son'ow crown each lingering year, 
No path we shun, no darkness dread ; 

Our hearts still whispering, thou art near ] 

When drooping pleasure turns to grief, 

And trembling faith is changed to fear, 
The murmuring wind, the quivering leaf, 

Shall softly tell us thou art near ! 
On thee we fling our burdening woe, 

O Love divine ! for ever dear, 
Content to suffer, while we know. 

Living and dying, thou art near ! 

OGOD, our heavenly Father, who by thy best-beloved 
Son hast opened to us a fountain of living waterj 
grant, we pray thee, that we may so drink of this water 
as to be refreshed in all our weariness of spirit, to be 
strengthened for thy blessed service, and to have within 
us a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Al- 
mighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready 
to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than 
either we desire or deserve : pour down upon us the abun- 
dance of thy mercy ; forgiving us those things whereof our 
conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which 
we are not worthy to ask, but through thy great love re- 
vealed to us by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

302 



OCTOBER 29. 



LET love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which 
is evil ; cleave to that which is good. 
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love ; 
in honor preferring one another ; not slothful in business ; 
feivent in spirit; semng the Lord ; rejoicing in hope; 
patient in tribulation ; continuing instant in prayer ; dis- 
tributing to the necessity of saints ; given to hospitality. 
Bless them which persecute you : bless, and curse not. 
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them 
that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. 
Mind not hio-h thino-s, but condescend to men of low estate. 
Be not wise in your own conceits. 

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things 
honest in the sight of all men. 

Sweet are the joys of home, 

And pure as sweet ; for they 
Like dews of morn and evening come, 

To wake and close the day. 
The world hath its delights, 

And its delusions too ; 
But home to calmer bliss invites, 

More tranquil and more true. 

The pilgrim's step in vain 

Seeks Eden's sacred ground ; 
But in home's hoh' joys, again 

An Eden may be found. 
A glance of heaven to see. 

To none on earth is given ; 
And yet a happy family 

Is but an earlier heaven. 

OTHOU Giver of all good, while we thank thee for thy 
mercies, we ask for wisdom ri2:htfullv to use thv 
bounty; let not our prosperit}' be our ruin, or thy good 
gifts nourish in us pride and presumption, or lust and in- 
temperance, or thy favor lead us to forget thee. 2^Iay we 
value things temporal only as they help us gain the things 
eternal. ]\Iay we never think we prosper, unless our souls 
prosper : or that we are rich, unless we are rich towards 
God ; or that we are wise, unless we are wise unto salvation. 
Amen. 

303 



OCTOBER 30, 



BECAUSE tliou sayest, I am rich, and increased with 
goods, and have need of nothing ; and knowest not 
that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and bhnd, 
and naked ; I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the 
fire, that thou mayest be rich ; and white raiment that thou 
mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness 
do not appear ; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that 
thou mayest see. 

Behold, I stand at the door and knock ; if any man hear 
my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and 
will sup with him, and he with me. 

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in 
my throne. 

What may we take into the vast forever ? 

That marble door 
Admits no fruit of our long endeavor, 

No fame-wreathed crown we wore, 

No garnered lore. 

What can we bear beyond the unknown portal ? 

No gold, no gains 
Of all our toiling ; in the life immortal 

No hoarded wealth remains, 

Nor gilds, nor stains. 

Yet fearless toward that midnight, dark and hollow, 

Our footsteps fare ; 
The beckoning of a Father's hand we follow,— 

His love alone is there : 

No curse, no care. 

O ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of thy bountiful 
goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things 
that may hurt us ; and so prepare our spirits that we may 
accomplish whatsoever thou desirest of us, and approve 
ourselves in thy sight as humble disciples of thy Son Jesus 
Christ. O Holy Father, give us a lively vicAv of heaven by 
the eye of faith ; and so raise our minds thither that w^e 
may always have our thoughts, our desires, and our con- 
versation purified ; and may our best affections be set on 
things above. Amen. 



304 



OCTOBER 31. 



WHAT man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose 
one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in 
the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he 
find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his 
shoulders, rejoicing. 

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his 
friends and neighbors, saying unto them. Rejoice with me; 
for I have found my sheep which was lost. 

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over 
one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine 
just persons, which need no repentance. 

Just as I am, — without one plea 

But that thy love is seeking me, 

And that thou bid'st me come to thee, — 

O loving God ! I come. 
Just as I am, — and waiting not 
To rid my soul of one dark blot, 
To thee whose love can cleanse each spot, — 

O loving God ! I come. 

Just as I am, — though tossed about 
With many a conflict, many a doubt, 
Fightings within, and fears without, — 

O loving God ! I come. 
Just as I am : — thou wilt receive, 
Wilt welcome, pardon, heal, relieve, 
Because thy promise I believe, — 

O loving God ! I come. 

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father: we have erred 
and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We 
have followed too much the devices and desires of our own 
hearts. 'We have offended against thy holy laws. We 
have left undone those things which we ought to have 
done ; and we have done those things which we ought not 
to have done. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. 
Spare thou them, O God, who confess their faults. Re- 
store thou them that are penitent ; according to thy 
promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
And grant, O most merciful Father, that we may here- 
after live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of 
thy holy name. Amen. 

T 305 



NOVEMBER 1. 

P'RECIOUS in the sight of the Lord is the death of his 
saints. For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsak- 
eth not his saints. 

Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world ? 
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, 
but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of 
God. 

For all thy saints, O God, 

Who strove in Christ to live, 
Who followed him, obeyed, adored, 

Our grateful hymn receive. 
For all thy saints, O God, 

Accept our thankful cry, 
Who counted Christ their great reward, 

And yearned for him to die. 

They all, in life and death, 

With him, their Lord, in view, 
Learned from thy Holy Spirit's breath 

To suffer and to do. 
For this thy name we bless, 

And humbly pray that we 
May follow them in holiness, 

And live and die in thee. 

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast knit together all gener- 
ations of the faithful in one communion and fellow- 
ship, in thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord : grant us grace to 
follow thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living ; 
and make us partakers with them of those unspeakable 
joys which thou hast prepared for them that unfeignedly 
love thee. O Lord most high, with thy whole church 
throughout the world we give thanks to thee for all thy 
saints departed ; and for the hope of future joy in the 
resurrection of the just. Oh ! let the cloud of witnesses, 
the innumerable company of those who have gone before 
and entered into rest, be to us an example of godly life : 
even now may we rejoice in their happiness ; and with 
patience may we so run the race that is set before us as 
to have an entrance administered abundantly into thy 
heavenly presence, to be united with them and the Lord 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 

306 



NOVEMBER 2. 



BEHOLD, all souls are mine ; as the soul of the father, 
so also the soul of the son is mine : the soul that 
sinneth, it shall die. 

But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and 
right, and hath not oppressed any, hath spoiled none by 
violence, hath given his bread to the hungiy, and hath 
covered the naked with a garment ; he that hath with- 
drawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment 
between man and man, hath walked in my statutes, and 
hath kept my judgments, to deal truly ; he is just, he shal) 
surely live, saith the Lord God. 
Honor all men. 

For there is no respect of persons with God. 

God of the living, in whose eyes 
Unveiled thy whole creation lies ! 
All souls are thine : we must not say, 
That those are dead who pass away ; 
From this our world of flesh set free, 
We know them living unto thee. 

Released from earthly toil and strife, 

With thee is hidden still their life ; 

Thine are their thoughts, their works, their powers, 

All thine, and yet most truly ours ; 

For well we know, where'er they be, 

Our dead are living unto thee. 

Thy word is true, thy will is just ; 

To thee we leave them. Lord, in trust ; 

And bless thee for the love which gave 

Thy Son to nil a human grave, 

That none might fear that world to see 

Where all are living unto thee. 

OTHOU Father of all souls : we rejoice to know that 
thou hast never left the world without a witness of 
thyself; giving thy children rain from heaven, and fruitful 
seasons, and filling our hearts with food and gladness, and 
rendering to every man according to his deeds. O God, 
who declarest thy almighty power most chiefly in showing 
mercy: mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy 
grace, that we may run the way of thy commandments, and 
be made partakers of thy heavenly blessedness. Amen. 

307 



NOVEMBER 3. 




OR we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the 
Lord. 



For God, who commanded the light to shine out of dark- 
ness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the 
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which 
are above, Avhere Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the 
earth. 

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom ; 
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and 
hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts 
to the Lord. 

Need it is we raise our e3^es 
Up from earth towards the skies ; 
Thinking of the souls that rest 
In the mansions of the blest ; 
Lest we faint in our distress 
Through exceeding heaviness. 

Thee in them, O Lord most high, 
Thee in them we glorify : 
Noble athletes, that went home 
Through the sea of martyrdom ; 
And the saints, through toil and shame, 
Brave confessors of thy name. 

Let their praises, heavenly King, 
Let the blessed hymn they sing, 
Some, though faintest, echo gain 
In our own poor broken strain ; 
Till one day shall join all powers 
In one anthem, — theirs and ours. 

HEAVENLY Father, we would call upon our souls and 
all that is within us to bless and praise thy holy 
name, and to forget not thy benefits, who forgiveth our in- 
iquities, who healeth our diseases ; who redeemeth our 
lives from destruction, and crown eth us with loving-kindness 
and tender mercy. Oh ! teach us to thank thee aright ; to 
show forth thy praise not only with our lips, but in our lives, 
by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before 
thee in holiness and righteousness all our days. Amen. 

308 



NOVEMBER 4. 



A CERTAIN man went down from Jerusalem to Jeri- 
cho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of 
his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him 
half dead. 

And by chance there came down a certain priest that 
way j and when he saw him, he passed by on the other 
side. 

And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came 
and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where 
he Avas ; and when he saw him, he had compassion on 
him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring 
in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought 
him to an inn, and took care of him. 

And on the moiTow when he departed, he took out two 
pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him. Take 
care of him : and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I 
come again, I will repay thee. 

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor 
unto him that fell among the thieves ? 

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said 
Jesus unto him. Go, and do thou likewise. 

^YHO is thy neighbor ? he whom thou 

Hast power to aid or bless ; 
Whose achinsr heart or burnino; brow 

Thy soothing hand may press. 

Thy neighbor? pass no sufferer by : 

Perhaps thou canst redeem 
A breaking heart from misery ; 

Go share thy lot with him. 

OLORD, strengthen our faith ; kindle it more m fervor 
and in love to thee and to our neisfhbor. Suiter us 
not to receive thy word in vain ; grant us thy grace, that 
in heart, word, and deed we may be thine for evermore. 
Amen. 



309 



NOVEMBER 5. 



AND the city had no need of the sun, neither of the 
moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did 
lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 

And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in 
the light of it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at 
all by day : for there shall be no night there. And they 
shall bring the glor}^ and honor of the nations into it. 
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that de- 
fileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh 
a lie ; but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. 

One sweetly welcome thought 

Comes to me o'er and o'er, 
I am nearer home to-day 

Than I ever have been before. 
Nearer my Father's house 

Where the many mansions be, 
Nearer the great white throne, 

Nearer the crystal sea. 

. Nearer that bound of life 

Where we lay our burdens down, 
Nearer leaving the cross, 

Nearer gaining the crown. 
Father, perfect my trust ; 

Let my spirit feel in death 
That her feet are firmly set 

On the rock of a living faith. 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God : accept, we beseech 
thee, of thy goodness, the high praise and heartfelt 
thanks we offer unto thee for thy wonderful graces mani- 
fested in thy saints, who have shone forth as lights in theii 
several generations ; Patriarchs, Prophets, and Martyrs, 
whom we commemorate with gladness of heart ; and for 
whom, with all other thy happy servants, our fathers and 
brethren, departed this life in thy faith and fear, we laud 
and magnify thy glorious name ; humbly entreating that 
we may have grace so to follow their blessed examples, 
that, when we also take our leave of this world, we may be 
united with them in the resurrection of the just and the 
fellowship of heaven. Amen. 

310 



NOVEMBER 6 



BE watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, 
that are ready to die : for I have not found thy words 
perfect before God. 

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white 
raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book 
of life. 

Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man 
can shut it. 

Behold, I come quickly : hold that fast which thou hast, 
that no man take thy crown. 

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple 
of my God. 

Every sorrow, every smart, 
That the eternal Father's heart 
Hath appointed me of yore, 
Or hath yet for me in store, 

As my life flows on I'll take 

Calmly, gladly, for his sake. 

No more faithless murmurs make. 

I will meet distress and pain, 

I will greet e'en Death's dark reign, 

I will lay me in the grave 

"With a heart still glad and brave. 

Whom the strongest doth defend, 
Whom the Highest counts his friend. 
Cannot perish in the end. 

OGOD, who faintest not, neither art weary; whose 
everlasting work is still fresh as thy creative thought : 
we bless thee for the pity of night and sleep, giving us the 
rest thou never needest. We would lie down each evening 
in peace and thankfulness, and commit the folded hours to 
thee. We would rise each morning to a new and nobler 
service. O Lord, through toil and repose, save us from 
any fatal slumber of the spirit, and keep us through life to 
the holy vigils of love and service, as they that watch for 
thy morning of eternity. Amen. 



NOVEMBER 7. 



BRETHREN, I write no new commandment unto you, 
but an old commandment which ye had from the 
beginning. Tlie old commandment is the word which ye 
have heard from the beginning. 

Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which 
thing is true in him and in you : because the darkness is 
past, and the true light now shineth. 

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, 
is in darkness even until now. 

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there 
is none occasion of stumbling in him. 

SpE-\k gently, — it is better far 

To rule by love than fear ; 
Speak gently, — let no harsh ■word mar 

The good we may do here. 

Speak gently to the erring ones ; 

They must have toiled in vain ; 
Perchance unkindness made them so ; 

Oh ! win them back again ! 

Speak gently, — 'tis a little thing, 

Dropped in the heart's deep well ; 
The good, the joy, that it may bring, 

Eternity shall tell. 

HOLY and blessed Lord our God, who knowest all 
our thoudits and all the secrets of our hearts : we 
o 

pray thee to hear us. Lift upon us the light of thy coun- 
tenance, and give us peace. Give unto us a pure heart 
and a right spirit. May we strive to do what is pleasing 
in thy sight. ]\Iay we be careful never to offend thee in 
thought, word, or deed. May we look unto Jesus and 
learn of him. May we ever speak the truth, and be just 
and kind. As our days and years pass on, may we grow in 
w^isdom and spiritual stature, and in favor with God and man. 
When we sin, wilt thou forgive us } when we wander, wilt 
thou restore us ? when we are in sorrow, wilt thou com- 
fort us ? While we live, may we love and ser^^e thee ; in 
the hour of death, may we rest upon thee ; and after death, 
may we rise to praise thee. These things we humbly ask 
in the faith and spirit of thy Son.^ Amen. 



NOVEMBER 8. 



AND who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers 
of that which is good ? 
But and if ye suffer for 'righteousness' sake, happy are 
ye : and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled : 
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts : and be ready 
always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a 
reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear : 
Having a good conscience : that, whereas they speak 
evil of you, as of evil doers, they may be ashamed that 
falsely accuse your good conversation in Chirst. 

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer 
for well doing, than for evil doing. 

Much in sorrow, oft in woe, 
Onward, Christians, onward go ; 
Fight the fight, and, worn with strife, 
Steep with tears the bread of life. 

Onward, Christians, onward go ; 
Join the war, and face the foe ; 
Faint not ! much doth yet remain, 
Dreary is the long campaign. 

Let your drooping hearts be glad ; 
March in heavenly armor clad ; 
Fight, nor think the battle long ; 
Victory soon shall tune your song. 

HOW unspeakably great is thy goodness, 0 God, and all 
other blessings are as nothing when compared with 
the sublime, pure, infinite glory to which we are called by 
the gospel of thy Son. May Christ be precious to us ; 
teach us his worth, his glor}-, so that we may love him and 
rejoice in him with joy unspeakable. ]\Iay a sense of the 
greatness of the evils from which he came to deliver, and of 
the blessings which he can bestow, excite our sensibility, 
gratitude, desire, and lead our minds to dwell on him. Let 
sin be our greatest burden ; .may all life's ills seem light in 
comparison with it j may we be more earnest in resisting it 
than in resisting all other evils ; and may we welcome Christ 
as our Saviour from it. 'Ma.y thy truth make us free ; and 
may our hearts burn with the desire to do thy will. Amen. 

313 



NOVEMBER 9. 



FINALLY, be ye all of one mind, having compassion 
one of another : love as brethren, be pitiful, be cour- 
teous : not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing : 
but conti'ariwise blessing j knowing that ye are thereunio 
called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him re- 
frain his tongue from evil, and his lips thai they speak no 
guile : let him eschew evil, and do good j let him seek 
peace, and ensue it. 

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and 
his ears are open unto their prayers : but the face of the 
Lord is against them that do eviL 

God liveth ever ! 
Wherefore, soul, despair thou never ! 
Our God is good, in every place 

His love is known, his help is found; 
His mighty arm and tender grace 

Bring good from ills that hem us round. 
Easier than we think, can he 
Turn to joy our agony. 
Soul, remember, 'mid thy pains, 
God o'er all for ever reigns. 

God liveth ever ! 
Wherefore, soul, despair thou never ! 
What though thou tread with bleeding feet 

A thornv path of grief and gloom } 
Thy God vrill choose the way most meet 
To lead thee heavenwards, lead thee home. 
For this life's long night of sadness 
He will give thee peace and gladness. 
Soul, forget not in thy pains 
God o'er all for ever reigns. 

MOST merciful Father, we beseech thee, let our sincere 
endeavors to know^ thee, in all the ways wdiereby 
thou hast discovered thyself, be crowned with such suc- 
cess that, our souls being established in even^ needful 
truth by thy Holy Spirit, w^e may spend our whole lives 
according to the rules of thy gospel, and may, with all thy 
holy and happy creation, ascribe glory and honor, wisdom 
and power, to thee who sittest upon the throne. Amen. 

3H 



NOVEMBER 10. 



OLORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 
Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising, 
thou understandest my thought afar off. 

Thou seest my path and my lying down, and art ac- 
quainted with all my ways. 

For before the word is on my tongue, lo, O Lord, thou 
knowest it altogether. 

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine 
hand upon me. 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me ; it is high, I 
cannot attain unto it. 

Lord of all being ! throned afar, 
Thy glory flames from star to star ; 
Centre and soul of every sphere, 
Yet to each loving heart how near ! 

Sun of our life, thy quickening ray 
Sheds on our path the glow of day ; 
Star of our hope, thy softened light 
Cheers the long watches of the night. 

Lord of all life, below, above. 

Whose light is truth, whose warmth is love, 

Before thy ever-blazing throne 

We ask no lustre of our own. 

Grant us thy truth to make us free ; 
And kindling hearts that burn for thee, 
Till all thy living altars claim 
One holy light, one heavenly flame. 

ALMIGHTY God, great Creator of all : thy children 
bow before thy throne. Though we see thee not with 
the outward eye, and hear thee not with the ear, thou teach- 
est us by thy Spirit, and by the life of Jesus Christ thy Son, 
that thou art nigh to them that call upon thee ; that thou 
art the rewarder of all them that diligently seek thee. The 
dark silence of the night, and the bright gladness of the 
day, continually show forth thy love. Thou hast borne 
with our sins, and invited us to repentance. Thou hast 
sent thy. dearly beloved Son to call us home to heaven and 
to thee. And when the service of life is ended, may w-e 
give thee purer worship in heaven. Amen. 

315 



NOVEMBER 11, 



AND be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiv- 
ing one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath 
forgiven you. 

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children ; and 
walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us. 

And above all these things put on charity, which is the 
bond of perfectness. 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts. 

We plough the fields, and scatter 

The good seed on the land ; 
But it is fed and watered 

By God^s almighty hand. 
He sends the snow in winter, 

The warmth to swell the grain, 
The breezes and the sunshine. 

And soft refreshing rain. 
All good gifts around us 

Are sent from heaven above : 
Then thank the Lord, oh, thank the Lord, 
For all his love ! 

We thank thee, then, O Father, 

For all things bright and good, — 
The seed-time and the harvest, 

Our life, our health, our food. 
Accept the gifts we offer 

For all thy love imparts. 
And — what thou most desirest — 

Our humble, thankful hearts. 
All good gifts around us 

Are sent from heaven above : 
Then thank the Lord, oh thank the Lord, 
For all his love. 

OTHOU whose sleepless providence shelters and sus- 
tains us through darkness and danger : our hearts 
rise to thee in gratitude and trust. To thy service we dedi- 
cate our time and talents, all that we are and have, asking 
renewed light and strength for all our needs. Father, fill 
us with thine own spirit of justice, mercy, and truth. May 
thy will be ours in duty and in trial, and in acquaintance 
with thee may our souls find peace. Amen. 



316 



NOVEMBER 12. 



I WISDOM dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge 
of witty inventions. 
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understand- 
ing ; I have strength. 

I love them that love me ; and those that seek me early 
shall find me. 

Riches and honor are with me ; yea, durable riches and 
righteousness. 

My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold ; and 
my revenue than choice silver. 

I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the 
paths of judgment : 

That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance ; 
and 1 will fill their treasures. 

Almighty Father ! thou hast many a blessing 

In store for every erring child of thine ; 
For this I pray, — let me, thy grace possessing, 

Seek to be guided by thy will divine. 

Not for earth's treasures, for her joys the dearest, 

Would I my supplications raise to thee ; 
Not for the hopes that to my heart are nearest, 

But only that I give that heart to thee. 

I pray that thou wouldst guide and guard me ever ; 

Cleanse, by thy power, from every stain of sin ; 
I will thy blessing ask on each endeavor. 

And thus thy promised peace my soul shall win. 

MERCIFUL God, we are overwhelmed with a sense of 
thy great goodness. Sanctify our joys. Teach us 
how to serve thee better. Make us grateful always. And 
when dark days come, let the remembrance of thy mercies 
keep us brave and true. Thine we are. Thee would we 
ever trust and worship and serve. Make us pure and lov- 
ing and loyal. Take from us all vain thoughts and foolish 
pride. Teach us to seek thee in all things. Enlarge and 
quicken our faith. Pour into our souls thy Spirit. Make 
our whole lives one grateful, loving, and acceptable service, 
that we may become truly thy children, and that we may 
feel that thou art indeed our Father. Amen. 



NOVEMBER 13. 



BUT they that will be rich fall into temptation and a 
snai e, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which 
drown men in desolation and perdition. 

For the love of money is the root of all evil : which while 
some coveted after, they have erred from the faith,, and 
pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

But thou, O man of God, flee these things ; and follow 
after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meek- 
ness. 

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life. 

Thou hidden love of God, whose height, 
Whose depth unfathomed, no man knows, 

I see from far thy beauteous light, 
Inly I sigh for thy repose. 

My heart is pained ; nor can it be 

At rest till it find rest in thee. 

Thy secret voice invites me still 

The sweetness of thy yoke to prove ; 

And fain I would, but though my will 
Seem fixed, yet wide my passions rove ; 

Yet hindrances strew all the way : 

I aim at thee, yet from thee stray. 

Is there a thing beneath the sun 

That strives with thee my heart to share ? 

Ah ! tear it thence, and reign alone, 
The Lord of every motion there ! 

Then shall my heart from earth be free, 

When it hath found repose in thee. 

OTHOU unseen Spirit, who art not far from us at any 
time : we seek thee. May we feel that thou art our 
Father and best Friend. We have no gifts for thee ; 
but thy hand is ever full of gifts for us, enriching us with 
thy bounty and love when we come unto thee. When 
thou sayest, Seek ye my face, may our hearts reply, Thy 
face will we seek. Teach us how to seek thee aright, with 
pure hearts and sincere desires, striving to love and obey 
thee. Our Father, forgive our sins, and help us to forsake 
them ; to hate all manner of wrong ; to love all that is 
right ; and so to live all our days here, that, when thou 
callest us, we may be ready for the heavenly home. Amen. 

Si8 



NOVEMBER 14. 



THE Lord seeth not as man seeth : for man looketh on 
the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on 
the heart. 

Here is the patience of the saints ; here are they that 
keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, 
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from hence- 
forth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their 
labors ; and their works do follow them. 

And there shall be no night there ; and they need no 
candle, neither light of the sun ; for the Lord God giveth 
them light : and they shall reign for ever and ever. 

The time for toil is past, and night is come, — 

The last and saddest of the harvest eves. 
"Worn out with labor long and wearisome, 
Drooping and faint, the reapers hasten home, 
Each laden with his sheaves. 

Full well I know I have more tares than wheat. 

Brambles and flowers, dry stalks and withered leaves; 

Wherefore I blush and weep, as at thy feet 

I kneel down reverently, and repeat, 
Master, behold my sheaves ! 

Yet do I gather strength and hope anew : 
For well I know thy patient love perceives 

Not what I did, but what I strove to do ; 

And, though the full, ripe ears be sadly few, 
Thou wilt accept my sheaves. 

LEATHER of mercies, the only rest of weary souls, the 



jL only joy of sorrowful hearts : pity the helpless ; be 
a friend to the widow and the orphan ; succor the poor 
and oppressed ; deliver the tempted ; sustain the sick, and 
receive in mercy the spirits of the dying. O God, in thy 
fatherly tenderness send relief or consolation to all the 
afflicted, through the angel of mercy that strengthened thy 
Son to drink the bitter cup. O Thou who dost look upon 
the heart, make us pure and true, and lead us in the way 
everlasting. Amen. 




319 



NOVEMBER 15. 




LESSED be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of 
God. 



Blessed are ye that hunger now : for ye shall be filled. 
Blessed are ye that weep now : for ye shall laugh. 

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they 
shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach 
you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's 
sake. 

Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, 
your reward is great in heaven : 

From the recesses o£ a lowly spirit, 
Our humble prayer ascends ; O Father ! hear it, 
Upsoaring on the wings of awe and meekness ; 
Forgive its weakness ! 

We see thy hand ; it leads us, it supports us : 
We hear thy voice ; it counsels and it courts us ; 
And then we turn away, and still thy kindness 
Forgives our blindness. 

Oh, how long-suffering, Lord ! but thou delightest 
To win with love the wandering ; thou invitest, 
By smiles of mercy, not by frowns or terrors, 
Man from his errors. 

Father and Saviour ! plant within each bosom 
The seeds of holiness ; and bid them blossom 
In fragrance and in beauty bright and vernal, 
And spring eternal. 

Then place them in thine everlasting gardens, 
Where angels walk, and seraphs are the wardens ; 
Where every flower, escaped through death's dark portal, 
Becomes immortal. 

FEATHER in heaven, we thank thee for home and its 



J_ joys, for friends and their love, for healthful bodies 
and cheerful spirits, for the fair world in which we live, for 
the innocent delights which attend our path, for the fond 
hopes which invite us on. Thy gifts are more than we can 
number ; our tongues shall praise thee with joyful words. 
Let the love of God be spread abroad through all the world, 
and peace and joy fill the whole earth ; and to thee be 
glory and praise for ever. Amen. 




320 



NOVEMBER 16. 



THOU wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is 
stayed on thee : because he trusteth in thee. 
Trust ye in the Lord for ever : for in the Lord is ever- 
lasting strength : 

The way of the just is uprightness : thou, most upright, 
dost weigh the path of the just. 

Sweet is the solace of thy love, 

My heavenly Friend, to me, 
While through the hidden way of faith 

I journey home with thee, 
Learning by quiet thankfulness 

As a dear child to be. 

Oh ! there is nothing in the world 

To weigh against thy will : 
Even the dark times I dread the most 
^ Thy covenant fulfil ; 
And when the pleasant morning dawns 
I find thee with me still. 

OTHOU Almighty Friend, who lovest all and forgettest 
none : we offer up our humble supplications. That 
we may walk in our homes with a perfect heart, unite us 
to one another by mutual love, and to thyself by works of 
piety and holiness. Be thou a shield to the young, and a 
staff to the aged. May parents bring up their children in 
holy nurture ; and may children love, honor, and obey 
their parents. When we are laid in our graves, may those 
who come after us serve thee in their day better than we 
have done in ours, and be unto thee a name and a praise 
in all generations. In thy fatherly loving-kindness, O 
Lord, be thou the strength of the needy, a refuge from the 
storm, and a shadow from the heat. Be a father to the 
fatherless ; support those who are on the bed of languish- 
ing ; and, according to the greatness of thy power, preserve 
thou those that are appointed, to die. O Thou who art the 
confidence of all the ends of the earth : remember every 
work of thy hand for good; and visit the world in that 
mercy which thou hast so signally manifested in Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 



u 



32T 



NOVEMBER 17 



NOW it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into 
a certain village : and a certain woman named ]\[ar- 
tha received him into her house. 

And she had a sister called Maiy, which also sat at 
J esus' feet, and heard his word. 

But IMartha was cumbered about much serving, and 
came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my 
sister hath left me to ser^'e alone ^ bid her therefore that 
she help me. 

And Jesus answered and said unto her. ^Martha. ^lartha, 
thou art careful and troubled about manv thino;s : but one 
thing is needful ; and Mary hath chosen that good part, 
which shall not be taken away from her. 

Father, in thy mvsterious presence kneeling, 
Fain would our souis feel all thy kindling love ; 

For we are weak, and need some deep revealing 
Of trust and strength and calmness from above. 

Lord, we have wandered forth through doubt and sorrow, 
And thou hast made each step an onward one ; 

And we will ever trust each unknown morrow, — 
Thou wilt sustain us till its work is done. 

In the heart's depths a peace serene and holy 
Abides ; and when pain seems to have her will, 

Or we despair, oh, may that peace rise slowly, 
Stronger than agony, and we be still I 

Now, Father, now, in thy dear presence kneeling, 

Our spirits yearn to feel thy kindling love ; 
Now make us strong, we need thy deep revealing 

Of trust and strength and calmness from above. 

OLORD, who hast taught us that all our doings with- 
out charit}' are nothing worth : send thy Holy Spirit, 
and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, 
the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which 
whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee. Amen. 



NOVEMBER 18. 



I WILL praise thee ; for I am fearfully and wonderfully 
made : marvellous are thy works ; and that my soul 
knoweth right well. 

Thine eves did see mv substance, vet bein^ unformed ; 
and in thv book was everv thino; written ; mv davs were 
appointed when as yet there was none of them. 

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, 0 God ! 
how great is the sum of them ! 

If I should count them, they are more in number than 
the sand : when I awake, I am still with thee. 

Search me, O God, and know my heart : tr\'- me, and 
know my thoughts : and see if there be any wicked way in 
me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

My God I thank thee who hast made 

The earth so bright ; 
So full of splendor and of joy, 

Beauty, and light ; 
So many glorious things are here, 

Noble and right ! 

I thank thee, Lord, that thou hast kept 

The best in store ; 
We have enough, yet not too much 

To long for more ; — 
A yearning for a deeper peace 

Not known before. 

OGOD, we bless thee for the joy of renewed life. Give 
us faith in things eternal. May we know that things 
holy and noble and true alone are real and enduring. May 
we believe in the right, and know that the righteous Lord 
rules for evermore. Help us to resist temptation, to conquer 
self and sin, to overcome all obstacles to the better life, to 
press on and up in the way of holiness that leads to heaven 
and thee. Help us to be faithful to that law w^hich thou 
hast written in every conscience and heart, which runs its 
lines through the universe, which for ever renders the way 
of the transgressor hard, and the way of wisdom tlie wa} 
of pleasantness and peace. Amen. 



323 



NOVEMBER 19. 



THEREFORE are they before the throne of God, and 
serve hhn day and night in his temple : and he that 
sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; 
neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall 
feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of 
waters : and God shall wipe aw^ay all tears from their eyes. 

To wear}^ hearts, to mourning homes, 
God's meekest angel gently comes ; 
No power has he to banish pam, 
Or give us back our lost again : 
And yet in tenderest love our dear 
And heavenly Father sends him here. 

There's quiet in that angel's glance ; 

There's rest in his still countenance ; 

He mocks no grief with idle cheer, 

Nor wounds with words the mourner's ear; 

But ills and woes he may not cure 

He kindly trains us to endure. 

Angel of patience, sent to calm 
Our feverish brows with cooling palm, 
To lay the storms of doubt and fear, 
And reconcile life's smile and tear, 
The throbs of wounded pride to still, 
And make our own our Father's w411. 

O thou who mournest on thy way 
With longings for the close of day, 
He walks with thee, that angel kind. 
And gently whispers, Be resigned ; 
Bear up, bear up : the end shall tell 
The dear Lord worketh all things well. 

MAY thy Holy Spirit, O our Father, comfort our hearts 
and enable us to endure tribulation. Teach us to 
feel the vanity of outward joys, to delight in thy word, to 
study thy will, to obey thy law, and to work out our ow^n 
salvation. And, when summoned hence may we be pre- 
pared for that heavenly state w^here all tears shall be wiped 
from our eyes, w^here there shall be no more crying or pain, 
no more sickness, decay nor death. Amen. 

324 



NOVEMBER 20. 



HITHER shall I go from thy Spirit ? or whither shall 



If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there : if I make 
my bed in the grave, behold, thou art there, 

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the 
uttermost parts of the sea ; 

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand 
shall hold me. 

If I say. Surely the darkness shall cover me ; even the 
night shall be light about me. 

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee ; but the night 
shineth as the day : the darkness and the light are both 
alike to thee. 



Lord God of morning and of night ! 
We thank thee for thy gift of light ; 
As in the dawn the shadows fly, 
We seem to find thee now more nigh. 

Fresh hopes have wakened in the heart 
Fresh force to do our daily part ; 
Thy thousand sleeps our strength restore 
A thousand-fold to serve thee more. 

O Lord of lights ! 'tis thou alone 
Canst make our darkened hearts thine own ; 
Though this new day with joy we see, 
Great dawn of God ! we cry for thee ! 

Praise God, our Maker and our Friend ; 
Praise him through time, till time shall end : 
Till psalm and song his name adore 
Through heaven's great day of Evermore. 



LORD our God, we beseech thee to give us under- 



standing, and to enable us to do thy will. We offer 
ourselves entirely to thee. Receive us, O God, as thy 
servants, and appoint us our duty. We renounce every^ wish 
that may be contrary to thy gracious providence, and only 
pray that we may. be employed to work out thy hallowed 
designs, and may prove ourselves faithful disciples of Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 




I flee from thy presence ? 




325 



NOVEMBER 21. 



AND as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, 
and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat ; 
this is my body. 

And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he 
gave it to them : and they all drank of it. 

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new 
testament, which is shed for many. 

Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit 
of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the king- 
dom of God. 

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the 
mount of Olives. 

Burden of shame and woe ! 

How does the heart o'erflow 
At thought of hhn the bitter cross who bore ! 

But we have each our own, 

To others oft unknown, 
Which we must bear till life shall be no more. 

And shall we fear to tread 

The path where Jesus led, 
The pure and holy one, for man who died ? 

Or shall we shrink from shame, 

Endured for Jesus' name. 
Our glorious Lord, once spurned and crucified ? 

Then, 'mid the woes that wait 

On this our mortal state. 
Patience shall cheer affliction, toil, and loss ; 

And, though the tempter's art 

Assail the struggling heart. 
Still, Saviour ! in thy name we bear the cross. 

ENLIGHTEN our understandings, O our Father, that 
we may know the wonderful things of thy law, the 
greatness of thy love in Christ, the mysteries of thy king- 
dom, and the riches of thine eternal glory. We beseech 
thee, O Lord, that our bodies may be servants to our 
spirits, and both our bodies and our spirits be thy servants. 
Teach us what thou wouldst have us do ; and uphold us 
by thy mighty power, that every work of ours may begin 
always from thee, and by thee be happily ended. Hear us, 
we beseech thee, O Lord, for thy mercy's sake.^ Amen. 

326 



NOVEMBER 22. 



SAY to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear 
not. 

Then the eyes of the blmcl shall be opened, and the 
ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 

Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue 
of the dumb sing : for in the Avilderness shall waters break 
out, and sti-eams in the desert. 

And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the 
thirst}' land springs of water : 

And a his^hwav shall be there, and a wav. and it shall 
be called, The way of holiness : the wayfaring men, though 
fools, shall not err therein. 

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to 
Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: 
they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing 
shall iiee away. 

Thanks be to him who built the hills ; 
Thanks be to him the streams who fills ; 
Thanks be to him who lights each star 
That sparkles in the blue afar. 

Thanks be to him who makes the morn, 
And bids it glow with beams new born ; 
Who draws the shadows of the night, 
Like curtains, o'er our wearied sight. 

Thanks be to him who sheds abroad. 
Within our hearts, the love of God, — 
The Spirit of all truth and peace, 
Fountain of joy and holiness. 

GIVER of all good, we thank thee for the bounties of 
nature, and for the kindly fruits of the earth : 
sanctify them to our use. May we enjoy all with gratitude 
and innocency. Give to us true repentance : forgive us all 
our ignorance, negligence, and sin. Endue us with the 
grace of thy Holy Spirit to -amend our lives according to 
thy holy word. O Lord, deal not with us after our sins, 
nor reward us according to our iniquities. Have mercy 
upon us, and save us from all evil both present and to 
come. Amen. 



327 



NOVEMBER 23, 



BEWARE that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in 
not keepmg his commandments, and his judgments, 
and his statutes, which I command thee this day : lest 
when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly 
houses, and d^\elt therein; and when thy herds and thy 
flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, 
and all that thou hast is multiplied ; then thine heart be 
lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, 

Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy 
fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he 
might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end ; 

And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of 
mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 

Thy goodness, Lord, our souls confess; 

Thv goodness we adore, — 
A spring whose blessings never fail, 

A sea without a shore. 

Thy bounty ever}- season crowns 

With all the bliss it pelds, 
With jo}-ful clusters loads the vines, 

With strengthening grain the fields. 

But chiefly thy compassion, Lord, 

Is in th}' gospel seen ; 
There like a sun th}- merc}^ shines, 

Without a cloud between. 

ANOTHER day has come, O Lord, bringing fresh 
messages of heaven : may it caiTy away new testi- 
mony to our fidelit}^ Through all dut}', trial, and enjoy- 
ment, let us never lose sight of the end for which this life 
on eardi is given, but remember our vocation as children 
of God and heirs of immorralit}'. Order all circumstances 
for our spiritual and everlasting good. Help us to avoid 
ever}' thing offensive in thy pure sight. Give us inward 
purity, that we may see thee and things invisible ; and 
meekness of spirit, that we may enter into the kingdom of 
heaven, and evermore live above the world while we are in 
it. Amen. 



328 



NOVEMBER 24. 



AWAKE, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord 
awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations 
of old. O Lord, be gracious unto us ; we have waited for 
thee, be thou our arm every morning, our salvation also 
in the time of trouble. Look down from heaven, and be- 
hold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory. 

Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot 
save ; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. 

But our iniquities have separated between us and our 
God, and our sins have hid his face from us, that he will 
not hear. 

From foes that would the land devour ; 
From guilty pride and lust of power ; 
From wild sedition's lawless hour ; 

From yoke of slavery ; 
From blinded zeal by faction led ; 
From giddy change by fancy bred ; 
From poisonous error's serpent head, — 

Good Lord, preserve us free ! 

Defend, O God, with guardian hand, 

The laws and rulers of our land ; 

And grant thy church the grace to stand 

In faith and unity ! 
Thy Spirit's help of thee we pray, 
That we may shorten, day by day, 
Thy blessed kingdom's long delay, 
^ Bv freely servins: thee ! 

OLORD, our heavenly Father, who makest men to be 
of one mind in an house, and stillest both the rage 
of the sea and the madness of the people : we thank thee 
for the great blessing of a quiet and well-ordered state, and 
pray thee by thy grace to keep far from us the spirit of dis- 
content, sedition, and strife : so that, leading peaceable lives 
in all godliness, we may offer to thee the sacrifice of thanks- 
giving, to the honor of thy holy name. Grant us ever to 
acknowledge thy salvation ; and in thy providence bid the 
violence of wron2:-doer3 be still : but hasten the time when 
out of victory shall come perpetual peace, and every tyrant's 
yoke be broken, and every slave go free, and all nations of 
the earth praise thee in one family, as sheep under one 
shepherd. Amen. 

329 



NOVEMBER 25. 



FOR the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, 
a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths 
that spring out of valleys and hills ; a land of wheat, and 
barley, and vines, and fig-trees, and pomegranates ; a land 
of oil, olive, and honey ; a land wherein thou shalt eat bread 
without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it ; a 
land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou 
mayest dig brass. 

When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless 
the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given 
thee. 

In pleasant lands have fallen the lines 

That bound our goodly heritage ; 
And, safe beneath our sheltering vines, 

Our youth is blest, and soothed our age. 
What thanks, O God, to thee are due, 

That thou didst plant our fathers here, 
And watch and guard them as they grew 

A vineyard to the planter dear ! 

The toils they bore our ease have wrought : 

They sowed in tears, — in joy we reap ; 
The birthright they so dearly bought, 

We'll guard till we with them shall sleep. 
Thy kindness to our fathers shown, 

In weal and woe, through all the past, 
Their grateful sons, O God, shall own 

While here their name and race shall last. 

FATHER, we thank thee for the joy of life, and the 
fair world in which we live ; for the fragrance and 
beauty of the spring, the genial warmth and rich fruitage of 
the summer, and the bountiful harvests that crown the year. 
We thank thee that our lines have fallen in pleasant places, 
and for all the heritage of good into which we have been 
born. We bless thee for every good institution : for schools 
and churches ; for that liberty wherewith thou makest all 
men free. We thank thee for the excellent example of the 
faithful ones who have gone before us ; and we pray that 
we may be worthy of our high privilege, and do our part 
faithfully and well, to leave the world better than we found 
it, better for our having lived in it. Amen. 

330 



NOVEMBER 26. 



NOW these are the commandments, the statutes, and 
the judgments, which the Lord your God com- 
manded to teach you : 

That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all 
his statutes and his commandments, which I command 
thee, thou, and thy son. and thy son's son, all the days of 
thy life ; and that thy days may be prolonged. 

Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do itj that it 
may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, 
as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the 
land that floweth with milk and honey. 

Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, and thou 
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with 
all thy soul, and with all thy might. 

Father I thy paternal care 
Has my guardian been, my guide : 
Every hallowed wish and prayer 
Has thy hand of love supplied ; 
Thine is every thought of bliss, 
Left by hours and days gone by ; 
Every hope thine offspring is, 
Beaming from futurity. 

And for all, my hymns shall rise 
Daily to thy gi-acious throne : 
Thither let my asking eyes 
Turn unwearied, righteous One ! 
Through life's strange vicissitude 
There reposing all my care ; 
Trusting still, through ill and good. 
Fixed, and cheered, and counselled there. 

OLORD, if we recount thy mercies, they are more than 
we can number. For the fatherly love that has 

watched over us by day and by night ; for the genial sun- 
shine, and fertile rain, and fruitful seasons ; for the joyous 
spring and bounteous autumn ; for all thy good gifts public 
and private, temporal and spiritual, — we would pay thee our 
tribute of grateful thanks. ]\Iay thy mercies be followed 
by our obedience. While we adore thy goodness, may we 
keep thy law. and walk in the light of thy favor, and be- 
come that happy people whose God is the Lord. Amen. 



NOVEMBER 27. 

OTHAT men would praise the Lord for his goodness, 
and for his wonderful works to the children of men ! 
He turned rivers into a wilderness, and the water-springs 
into dry ground ; a fruitful land into barrenness, for the 
wickedness of them that dwell therein. 

He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry 
ground into water-springs. 

And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may 
prepare a dt\' for habitation ; and sow the fields, and plant 
TOieyards, which may yield fruits of increase. 

Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they 
shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord. 

The God of harvest praise ; 
In loud thanksgiving raise 

Hand, heart, and voice. 
The valleys laugh and sing ; 
Forests and mountains ring; 
The plains their tribute bring; 

The streams rejoice. 

The God of harvest praise ; 
Hands, hearts, and voices raise 

AYith sweet accord. 
From field to garner throng, 
Bearing your sheaves along, 
And in your harvest song 

Bless ye the Lord. 

GRACIOUS Father, from whom all blessings flow : de- 
voutly we thank thee for all thy good gifts : for 
food and raiment and health ; for the prosperity that 
crowns our industry ; for the peace that prevails in our bor- 
ders 'j for the privileges of education, and for civil and re- 
ligious liberty ; for the kindly ties that bind us one to 
another, and the sweet fellowships that enrich our life ; for 
the spiritual manna, the bread that comes from heaven to 
feed our souls ; and for the blessed hopes of the life to come.. 
We praise and bless thy name. Oh, may a deep sense of 
thy loving-kindness fill our hearts with gratitude, and move 
us to swifter service, and stricter conformity to thy most 
holy will ! Amen. 

332 



NOVEMBER 28. 



I WILL open my mouth in a parable : I will utter dark 
sayings of old : what we have heard and known, and 
our fathers have told us. 

We will not hide them from their children, showing to the 
generation to come the praises of the Lord, his strength, 
and his w^onderful works that he hath done. 

For he established statutes, and appointed a law, which 
he commanded our fathers to make known to their chil- 
dren : 

That the generation to come might know them, even 
the children which should be born : who should declare 
them to their children : 

That they might set their hope in God, and not forget 
the works of God, but keep his commandments. 

Father of mercies ! God of peace ! 
Being whose bounties never cease ! 
While to the heavens, in grateful tones, 
Ascend our mingled orisons, 
Listen to these notes of praise 
Which we, thy grateful children, raise! 

Our dwellings, sheltered by thy care, 
Abodes of peace and plenty are ; 
Our tillage by thy blessing yields 
An hundredfold from ripened fields ; 
And flowing grain and burthened vine 
Are tokens of thy love divine. 

Teach us our blessings to improve ; 
Teach us to serve thee and to love ; 
Exalt our hearts, that we may see 
The Giver of all good in thee ; 
And be thy word our daily food, 
Thy service, Lord, our greatest good. 

HEAVENLY Father, we beseech thee so to grant us 
thy favor that we may be guided by heavenly wis- 
dom and restrained by godly fear. Patient in adversity, 
obedient unto thy laws, using all our powers and posses- 
sions in a faithful stewardship, free from the bondage of 
sin, may w^e evermore rejoice in the blessings of peace and 
true prosperity. Amen. 

333 



NOVEMBER 29. 



I WILL praise the Lord with my whole heart. 
The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all 
them that have pleasure therein. 

His work is honorable and glorious : and his righteous- 
ness endureth for ever. 

He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered : 
the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. 

He hath given meat unto them that fear him : he will 
ever be mindful of his covenant. 

He hath showed his people the power of his works, that 
he may give them the heritage of the heathen. 

Thank the Lord, who made the earth, 
Gave the seas and heavens birth ; 
God the Lord, whose word of might 
Out of darkness called the light ; 
Full of mercy evermore, 
Him, the Lord of lords, adore ! 

Thank the Lord, who set the sun 
Day by day his course to run ; 
Lit the moon, serenely bright ; 
Spread the stars around the night : 
Full of mercy evermore. 
Him, the Lord of lords, adore ! 

Thank the Lord, who heeds our call, 
Hears his children, feeds them all ; 
Thank the Lord, whose love has given 
Man the bread of life from heaven : 
Full of mercy evermore. 
Him, the Lord of lords, adore ! 

GIVER of all good, as we rejoice in the mercies that 
fill our life, may we gratefully remember thee, the 
source of all our joy, and live to thy glory while we partake 
of thy bounty. Help us to use this world as not abusing 
it, and may all temporal prosperities minister to our 
spiritual welfare and the upbuilding of thy kingdom in the 
world. May our land be the abode of truth and freedom, 
of religion and peace. Amen. 

334 



NOVEMBER 30, 



WHEN this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, 
and this mortal shall have put on immortality, 
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, 
Death is swallowed up in victory. 

O death, where is thy sting ? O grave, where is thy 
victory ? 

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the 
law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the \dctory 
through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, un- 
movable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, 
forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the 
Lord. 

Ye who have known to weep, 

Where your beloved sleep ; 
Ye who have raised the deep, the bitter cry, — 

God's blessings be as balm, 

The fevered heart to calm, 
And wondrous peace the troubled mind supply. 

Ere daily strifes begin 

The war without, within. 
The God of love, with spirit and with power, 

Now on each bended head 

His deepest blessings shed, 
And keep us all through every troubled hour. 

BE thou, O God, our refuge and our consolation, and 
our sure trust. The miore we are brought to per- 
ceive that things seen are temporal, so much the more 
may we find that the things which are unseen are eternal ; 
that thou art faithful, and that Christ is worthy, and that 
heaven and not earth is our home. May we embrace thy 
promises and be thankful ; may we know that thou art 
God, and be still. And grant, we beseech thee, O Holy 
Father and eternal Judge, that we may all live mindful of 
our duty and our trust, and waiting on thy will ; that, when 
we have served thee in our generations, we may be gathered 
unto our fathers, having the testimony of a good conscience, 
and in the hope that neither death nor life, nor things 
present, nor things to come, will be able to separate us from 
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. 

335 



DECEMBER 1. 



WE are strangers and sojourners, as were all our 
fathers : our days on the earth are as a shadow, 
and there is none abiding. 

Behold, I come quickly : blessed is he that keepeth the 
sayings of the prophecy of this book. 
For the time is at hand. 

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still : and he which 
is filthy, let him be filthy still : and he that is righteous, 
let him be righteous still : and he that is holy, let him be 
holy still. 

And, behold, I come quickly ; and my reward is with 
me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. 

Like shadows gliding o'er the plain, 
Or clouds that roll successive on, 
Man's busy generations pass ; 
And while we gaze their forms are gone, 

O Father, in whose mighty hand 
The boundless years and ages lie, 
Teach us thy boon of life to prize, 
And use the moments as they fly ; — 

To crowd the narrow span of life 
With wise designs and virtuous deeds : 
And so shall death but lead us on 
To nobler service that succeeds. 

OGOD, who hast commanded that no man should be 
idle, give us grace to employ all our talents and 
faculties in the service appointed for us ; that whatsoever 
our hand findeth to do we may do it heartily : yet grant, 
O good Lord, that no worldly business, no worldly pleasure, 
may ever divert our thoughts from the life to come. Cheer- 
fully may we go on in the road which thou hast marked 
out, not desiring too earnestly that it should be either more 
smooth or more wide ; but, daily seeking our way by thy 
light, may we trust ourselves and the issue of our journey 
to thee, the Fountain of joy, and sing songs of praise as we 
go along. Then, O Lord, receive us at the gate of life 
which thou hast opened for us in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

336 



DECEMBER 2. 



AND he spake this parable unto certain which tmsted in 
themselves that they were righteous, and despised 
others : Two men went up into the temple to pray ; the one 
a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, 
I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, 
unjust adulterers, or even as this publican. 

i fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 
And the publican, standing afar oil. v;ould not lift up so 
much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, 
savins;. God be merciful to me a sinner. 

I tell you. this man went down to his house justined rather 
than the other : for every one that exalteth himself shall be 
abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 

Oh ! learn that it is only by the lowly 

The paths of peace are trod ; 
If thou wouldst keep thy garments white and holy, 

Walk humbly with thy God. 

The man with earthly wisdom high uplifted 

Is in God's sight a fool ; 
But he in heavenly truih most deeply gifted 

Sits lowest in Christ's school. 

The lowly spirit God hath consecrated 

As his abiding rest ; 
An angel by some patriarch's tent hath waited, 

When kings had no such guest. 

GOD, the Creator of summer and winter, of day and 



gloom, and bringest good out of evil : give us grace so to 
flee what thou forbiddest, that we may cast aside the works 
of darkness, and so to choose what thou dost command, that 
we may be children of light . Since darkness and light alike 
obey thee, give all the messengers of thy providence charge 
over us, that, serving thee in peacefulness and thankfulness, 
we may be brought through humilit}' to serve thee in glory. 




shine out of thick 



V 



337 



DECEMBER 3. 



PRAISE ye the Lord : for it is good to sing praises unto 
our God ; for it is pleasant ; and praise is comely. 
He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth : his word 
runneth very swiftly. 

He giveth snow like wool : he scattereth the hoar-frost 
like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like morsels : who 
can stand before his cold? 

He sendeth out his word, and melteth them : he causeth 
his wind to blow, and the waters flow. 

He hath not dealt so with any nation : and as for his 
judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord. 

'Tis winter now : the gleaming snow 
Has left the heavens all cold and clear ; 

Through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow, 
And all the earth lies dead and drear. 

And yet God's love is not withdrawn : 
His life within the keen air breathes ; 

His beauty paints the crimson dawn, 
And clothes the boughs with glittering wreaths. 

And though abroad the sharp winds blow, 
And skies are chill, and frosts are keen. 

Home closer draws her circle now, 
And warmer glows her light within. 

O God ! who gh^est the winter's cold 

As well as summer's joyous rays, 
Us warmly in thy love enfold, 

And keep us through life's wintery days. 

I FATHER, we see thy love in the order of nature. In 



JL all the changes of day and night, of summer and 
winter, thou art working for the welfare of thy creatures 
and thy children. O God, we give thee humble and hearty 
thanks for all the benefits and blessings, both spiritual and 
temporal, which in the riches of thy great mercy thou hast 
poured down upon us ; but especially for thy spiritual bless- 
ings. Lord, let us not live but to praise and magnify thy 
great goodness. Grant, we beseech thee, that all our 
thoughts, words, and works may tend to the discharge of 
our duty, the good of our fellow-men, and the advance- 
ment of thy Son's kingdom on earth. Amen. 




338 



DECEIVIBER 4. 



EVERY man shall receive his own reward according to 
his own labor. 

For we are laborers t02:ether with God ; ve are God's 
husbandry; ye are God's building. 

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that 
the Spirit of God dwelleth in 3'ou ? 

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God 
destroy : for the temple of God is holy, which temple 
ye are. 

Let no man glory in men : for all things are yours ; whether 
Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, 
or things present, or things to come ; all are yours ; and ye 
are Christ's ; and Christ is God's. 

Whate'er my God ordains is right ; 

i\Iy light my life is he, 
^Yho cannot will me aught but good ; 
I trust him utterly ; 
For well I know, 
In joy or woe, 
We soon shall see as sunlight clear 
How faithful was our Guardian here. 

^Yhate'er my God ordains is right, 

Here will I take my stand ; 
Though sorrow, need, or death make earth 
For me a desert land, 
2vly Father's care 
Is around me there : 
He holds me that I shall not fall, 
And so to him I leave it all. 

CONVINCE us, O Lord God, that how bad soever the 
world is, we may seiwe thee in it ; and that, how frail 
soever we are, we are under no necessity to sin ; and that 
how dark soever thy providence is, yet our lot is in wise 
hands, which will do much better for us than v/e could for 
ourselves : for thv thouo;hts are not as our thouo;hts. nor thv 
ways as our ways. To thee, O God, we wholly refer all 
events, and only beg that we may attend to our present duty, 
as humble disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen. 



339 



DECEMBER 5. 



AND very early in the morning, the first day of the 
week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of 
the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll 
us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 

And when they looked, they saw that the stone was 
rolled away : for it was very great. 

And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man 
sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment j 
and they were affrighted. 

And he saith unto them. Be not affrighted: ye seek 
Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified : he is risen : he is 
not here : behold the place where they laid him. 

It was no path of flowers 

Which, through this world of ours, 
Beloved of the Father, thou didst tread ; 

And shall we in dismay 

Shrink from the narrow way 
When clouds and darkness are around it spread ? 

And, oh, if thoughts of gloom 

Should hover o'er the tomb, 
That light of love our guiding star shall be ; 

Our spirits shall not dread 

The shadowy way to tread, 
Friend, Guardian, Saviour, which doth lead to thee. 

ALMIGHTY God, who dost encourage us to fly to thee 
as our refuge in distress : refresh thy sorrowing 
children with the light of thy countenance, and the con- 
solations of thy Holy Spirit. Be thou now to us a Father 
to those who are in trouble, and a God of comfort to those 
who mourn. Grant that we, thy servants, may not weep as 
those who are without hope, nor complain of any thing but 
ourselves, nor desire any thing but that thy will may be 
done, nor do any thing but what is agreeable to thy holy 
word and commandment. O heavenly Father, when thou 
smitest us, not less than when thou pourest out blessings 
on us, may our love to thee increase ; and, when the few 
years of our earthly pilgrimage are ended, may we be 
gathered to our fathers in thy peace, and in the blessed 
hope of a joyful resurrection. Amen. 

340 



DECEMBER 6. 



SEE that ye love one another with a pure heart fer- 
vently : being born again, not of corruptible seed, 
but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and 
abideth forever. 

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the 
_ flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof 
falleth away : but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. 

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the 
world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father 
is not in him. 

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the 
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, 
but is of the world. 

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof j but 
he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 

If thou slioQldst bless our home with wealth, 
Let not the world creep in by stealth 

And take away the blessing ; 
For if our hearts should empty be 
Of meekness and humility, 
Although all else possessing, 
We should miss that true bliss, 
Which not all the world's best treasure 
Can supply in smallest measure. 

^ thee, O Father, we offer thanks for the wondrous 
X gifts that enrich our life. May we never cease to 
leel the sacred tie of love that binds our souls to thee. 
Frail and weak as we are, thou hast given us infinite hopes 
and aspirations, and made us capable of an ever-enlarging 
life. Thou art with us at home and abroad, in our worship 
and our work. Thy love is the living fountain of joy, the 
inspiration of our prayer, the source of all our hope. What 
can we render thee for all thy mercies ? thou desirest only 
the gift of filial love and obedience. Deepen within us the 
spirit of true devotion. Open our eyes to behold thy 
presence. Make our weak souls strong in thy might. 
Amidst the lights and shadows of our mortality may thy 
truth and love shine upon our souls with ever-increasing 
brightness. Bless us, guide us, keep us thine. Amen. 

341 



DECEMBER 7. 



NO\Y therefore fear the Lord, and ser\^e him m sincerity 
and in truth ; and put away the gods which your 
fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt j 
and serve ye the Lord. 

And if it seem evil unto you to sen^e the Lord, choose 
you this day whom ye will serve • but as for me and my 
house, we will serve the Lord. 

And the people answered and said, God forbid that we 
should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods. 

No man can serve tw^o masters ; for either he will hate 
the one, and love the other ; or ^else he will hold to the 
one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and 
mammon. 

Thou canst not choose but serve : — man's lot is servitude ; 
But thou hast this much choice, — a bad lord or a good. 

Before the eyes of man let duly shine thy light ! 
But ever let thy life's best part be out of sight. 

Wouldst thou do harm, and yet unharmed thyself abide ? 
None ever struck another save through his own side. 

^Yhen thou art fain to trace a map of thine own heart, 
As undiscovered land set down the largest part. 

God's dealings still are love, his chastenings are alone 
Love now compelled to take an altered, louder tone. 

INSPIRE US, O our heavenly Father, with a generous 
love of virtue, of rectitude, of holiness. ]\Iay we prefer 
it even to life. Animate us to adhere to it in everv dan2:er. 
May nothing on earth move or shake our steadfastness. 
Animate us to cheerfulness. ]\Iay we have a joyful sense 
of our blessings, learn to look on the bright circumstances 
of our lot, and maintain a perpetual contentedness under 
thy allotments. Fortify our minds against disappointment 
and calamity. Preserve us from despondency, from yielding 
to dejection. Teach us that no evil is intolerable but a 
guilty conscience and that nothing can hurt us, if with 
true loyalty of affection we keep thy commandments and 
take refuge in thee. Amen. 



342 



DECEMBER 8. 



BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath 
begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of 
Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, 
and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven 
for you. 

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if 
need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations : 
that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than 
of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be 
found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of 
Jesus Christ : whom having not seen, ye love ; in whom 
though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with 
joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of 
your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 

The eager hearts, the souls of fire, 

Who pant to toil for God and man ; 
And view with eyes of keen desire 

The upland w' ay of toil and pain ; 
Almost with scorn they think of rest, 
Of holy calm, of tranquil breast ; 

But God, through ways they have not known, 
^Yill lead his own. 

What matter what the path shall be ? 

The end is clear and bright to view ; 
We know that we a strength shall see, 

Whate'er the day may bring to do. 
We see the end, the house of God, 
But not the path to that abode ; 

For God, through ways they have not known, 
Will lead his own. 

EVER-GRACIOUS Father, who hast brought us to the 
present time in safety and peace : we render devout 
thanksgiving for thy mercy, and commend ourselves anew 
to thy protection. Unworthy though we are, w^e seek thy 
face and implore thy favor. ■ Thou hast taught us to look 
to thee as our Father, who dost never forget or forsake thy 
children, and art always ready to forgive those who truly 
repent. Have us in thy holy keeping, and may it be our 
supreme desire in life that thy will be done. Amen. 

343 



DECEMBER 9 



THUS saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the 
earth is my footstool. 
They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat 
nor sun smite them : for he that hath mercy on them shall 
lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide 
them. 

Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and 
come with singing unto Zion ; and everlasting joy shall be 
upon their head : they shall obtain gladness and joy j and 
sorrow and mourning shall flee away. 

God moves in a mysterious way, 

His wonders to perform ; 
He plants his footsteps in the sea, 

And rides upon the storm. 
Deep in unfathomable mines 

Of never-failing skill, 
He treasures up his vast designs, 

And works his sovereign will. 

Ye fearful saints ! fresh courage take ; 

The clouds ye so much dread 
Are big with mercy, and will break 

In blessings on your head. 
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, 

But trust him for his grace ; 
Behind a frowning providence 

He hides a smiling face. 

His purposes will ripen fast, 

Unfolding every hour ; 
The bud may have a bitter taste, 

But sweet will be the flower. 
."Blind unbelief is sure to err, 

And scan his work in vain ; 
God is his own interpreter, 

And he will make it plain. 

O HEAVENLY Father, thy word is a lamp unto our 
feet, and a light unto our path : we humbly beseech 
thee that thou wouldest be pleased to open and enlighten 
our minds, through Jesus Christ who is the true light of 
the world, that we may understand thy word in its plain- 
ness and purity, and frame accordingly the whole course of 
our lives. Amen. 

344 



DECEMBER 10. 



AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth : for the 
first heaven and the first earth were passed away ; 
and there was no more sea. 

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, 
the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with 
them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall 
be with them, and be their God. 

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and 
there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, 
neither shall there be any more pain : for the former 
things are passed away. 

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all 
things new. He that overcometh shall inherit all things ; 
and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 

No seas again shall sever, 

No desert intervene, 
No deep sad-flowing river 

Shall roll its tide between, 
Love and unsevered union 

Of soul with those we love. 
Nearness and glad communion 

Shall be our joy above. 

No dread of wasting sickness, 

No thought of ache or pain, 
No fretting hours of weakness, 

Shall mar our peace again. 
No death, our homes o'ershading. 

Shall e'er our harps unstring ; 
For all is life unfading, 

In presence of our King. 

ALMIGHTY and ever-living God, we fly to thee as 
our eternal refuge ; we rest ourselves upon thee, 
the Rock of Ages. Blessed be thy holy name for the 
assurance of eternal life which thou hast given us by thy 
beloved Son ; blessed be thy holy name for the faith which 
we cherish, that this corruptible shall put on incorruption ; 
and this mortal immortality ; and that, when the night of 
the grave is past, a glorious morning will come, when there 
shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor cr)dng, nor 
pain. Amen. 

345 



DECEMBER 11. 



WHAT ! know ye not that your body is the temple of 
the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of 
God, and ye are not your own ? 

For ye are bought with a price : therefore glorify God in 
your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 

But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are 
all things, and we in him ; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by 
whom are all things, and we by him. 

. . . use this world as not abusing it : for the fashion of 
this world passeth away. 

Holy Father, thou hast taught me 

I should live to thee alone ; 
Year by year, thy hand hath brought me 

On through dangers oft unknown. 
When I wandered, thou hast found me ; 

When I doubted, sent me light ; 
Still thine arm has been around me, 

All my paths were in thy sight. 

I would trust in thy protecting, 

Wholly rest upon thine arm, 
Follow^ wholly thy directing. 

Thou mine only guard from harm ! 
Keep me from mine own undoing ; 

Help me turn to thee when tried ; 
Still my footsteps, Father, viewing, 

Keep me ever at thy side 1 

OTHOU who givest power to the faint and strength to 
the weary : under the shadow of thy wings will we put 
our trust. In thine everlasting arms support us ; by thy 
mighty power defend us ; let thy grace be sufficient for us, 
and thy goodness and mercy follow us all our days. To thee 
we dedicate ourselves as our guide through life, our comfort 
and support in death, and after death our everlasting por- 
tion, hope, and joy. When our life on earth is ended, gra- 
ciously wilt thou receive us to that higher service where, 
without weariness or failure, we may live to thy glory for 
ever. O thou who dost never slumber nor sleep, who art 
able to do for us more abundantly than we can ask or think, 
to thee be honor and glory world without end. Amen. 

346 



DECEMBER 12. 



I HAVE learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to 
be content 

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to 
abound : every where and in all things I am instructed 
both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to 
suffer need. ... I can do all things through Christ which 
strength eneth me. 

Godliness with contentment is great gain. 

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain 
we can carry nothing out. 

And having food and raiment, let us be therewith con- 



Some murmur when their sky is clear 

And wholly bright to view, 
If one small speck of cloud appear 

In the great heaven of blue. 
And some with thankful love are filled 

If but one streak of light, 
One ray of God's good mercy gild 

The darkness of their night. 

In palaces are hearts that ask, 

In discontent and pride. 
Why life is such a dreary task. 

And all good things denied ; 
And hearts in poorest huts admire 

How love has in their aid 
( Love that not ever seems to tire ) 

Such rich provision made. 



ATHER, we thank thee, for daily bread, for raiment, 



X for the home that shelters us from summer's heat 
and winter's storm and cold. We bless thee for the dear 
friends whom we love, and who love us ] for those present 
now joining their prayer with us, and for the absent ones 
far from the touch of our hand or the hearing of our voice. 
We thank thee for those blessed relationships that set the 
solitary in families, and enrich and beautify the world with 
all the tender ties which join husband and wife, and parent 
and child, and brother and sister, and join many children 
of thine into one great family of love. May the love of 
God fill all souls, and make all thy children dwell as 
brethren too-ether. Amen. 



tent. 




347 



DECEMBER 13. 



THE disciple is not above his master ; but every one 
that is perfect shall be as his master. 
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's 
eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye ? 

Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let 
me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself 
beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye ? Thou 
hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and 
then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in 
thy brother's eye. 

Among the pitfalls in our way, 

The best of us walk blindly ; 
O man, be wary ! watch and pray, 

And judge your brother kindly. 

Help back his feet if they have slid, 
Nor count him still your debtor ; 

Perhaps the very wrong he did 
Has made yourself the better. 

IN the time of terror and of dread, and in all time of 
sadness, have pity, O Lord, on those who confess thy 
name. Have thou a care of those who put their trust in 
thy love for men, and forgive their sins. Let thy tenderness 
be stirred up for those who call upon thee : nor let thy 
grace fail us. Let not the light of our lamps be put out. 
Let not thy justice be against us. Show the aid of thy 
grace against our weakness. Pour out the flood of thy pity 
on our ungodliness, and wash away our sins, and purge us 
from whatever is hateful. Give us true and un corrupt faith, 
a pure and tranquil life, high and holy gifts, freedom from 
severe temptations, a departure with due preparation, a 
good end, with all blessing and the delight of an inheritance 
with the saints, and confidence when we stand before thy 
throne, whose mercy endureth for ever. Amen. 



34S 



DECEMBER 14. 



BUT God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love where- 
with he loved us, even when we v/ere dead in sins, 
hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are 
saved) ; and hath raised us up together, and made us sit 
together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus : that in the 
ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his 
grace, in his kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus. 
For by grace are ye saved through faith ; and that not of 
yourselves : it is the gift of God : not of works, lest any 
man should boast. 

All things that are on earth shall wholly pass away, 
Except the love of God, which shall live and last for aye. 
The forms of men shall be as they had never been ; 
The blasted groves shall lose their fresh and tender green ; 
The birds of the thicket shall end their pleasant song, 
And the nightingale shall cease to chant the evening long • 



And realms shall be dissolved, and empires be no more ; 
And they shall bow to death, who ruled from shore to shore; 
And the great globe itself, so the holy writings tell. 
With the rolling firmament, where the starry armies dwell. 
Shall melt with fervent heat ; they shall all pass away ; 
Except the love of God, which shall live and last for aye. 

ALMIGHTY Father, whose gifts to us on earth are a 
foreshadowing of thy heavenly favor ; we would 
bring to thee the offering of glad and grateful hearts for 
thy past bounties to us, which are more than we can number, 
greater than we can know. For the wonderful uses, and 
the no less wonderful beauties, of the outward world ; for 
the example of the wise and good ; for the friendship of 
those who are dear to us ; for the revelation of thy character 
and will by Jesus Christ ; for the helps of thy Spirit and 
the promises of the gospel ; for all the mercies of thy 
providence, we give thee humble and heartfelt thanks. 
Oh, may we show our grateful sense of thy loving-kindness 
by our lives, as well as express it with our lips ; and may 
it be our frequent employment now, as we trust it will be 
hereafter, "to utter the memory of thy great goodness and 
to sing of thy praise. Amen. 

349 



DECEMBER 15. 



AND he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, 
when he marked how they chose out the chief 
rooms ; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any 
man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room ; lest 
a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him ; and 
he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this 
man place ; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest 
room. 

But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest 
room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say 
unto thee. Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have 
worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased ; and he 
that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 

Thy home is with the humble, Lord ! 

The simplest are the best ; 
Thy. lodging is in child-like hearts ; 

Thou makest there thy rest. 

Dear Comforter ! eternal Love ! 

If thou wilt stay with me, 
Of lowly thoughts and simple ways 

I'll build a house for thee. 

Who made this beating heart of mine, 

But thou, my heavenly guest ? 
Let no one have it, then, but thee, 

And let it be thy rest. 

OTHOU who hearest prayer, we thank thee for thy 
constant goodness : for life and health and all our 
enjoyments. We thank thee for this day and its privileges. 
Father, forgive our sins; teach us what is right; help us 
faithfully to do our whole duty. O thou who knowest our 
inmost thoughts, aid us to keep them pure. May we fear 
nothing so much as doing wrong. May we never forget 
that we are not to perish in the dust. May the hopes of 
the better life cheer us and make us strong. Daily growing 
better, may we at last find entrance to the mansions pre- 
pared for them that love thee. Amen. 



350 



DECEMBER 16, 



AND Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, 
that the Son of man should be glorified. 
Verily, verily, I say unto you. Except a corn of wheat 
fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone : but if it die, 
it bringeth forth much fruit. 

He that loveth his life shall lose it ; and he that hateth 
his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 

If any man serve me, let him follow me ; and where I 
am, there shall also my servant be : if any man serve me 
him will my Father honor. 

I KNOW not the way I am going, 

But well do I know my Guide ; 
With a childlike trust I give my hand 

To the mighty Friend by my side. 
The only thing that I say to him, 

As he takes it, is Hold it fast ; " 
Suffer me not to lose my way, 
But bring me home at last. 

As when some helpless wanderer, 

Alone in an unknown land, 
Tells the guide his destined place of rest, 

And leaves all else in his hand ; — 
'Tis home, 'tis home, that we wish to reach; 

He who guides us may choose the way : 
Little we heed the paths that we take, 

If nearer home each day. 

OUR Father in heaven, we gratefully acknowledge thy 
goodness to us this day : for continuing our life ; 
for shielding us from danger and harm ; for supplying our 
daily bread and all things needful for body and soul. Help 
us to set our affections on things above. Keep ever in our 
minds a lively sense of responsibility to thee. May our 
best resolutions be faithfully kept, and our best impressions 
not pass away fruitless. May we reform the errors we 
confess ; and may our devout aspirations guard us against 
temptation and keep us pure and undefiled. May we 
constantly live as becometh thy children. Let it be our 
study at home and abroad, by day and by night, to love 
and fear and obey thee as we ought, and to do those things 
which are well-pleasing in thy sight. Amen. 

3SI 



DECEMBER 17, 



EYE hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered 
into the heart of man, the things which God hath 
prepared for them that love him. 

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit : for 
the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the 
spirit of man which is in him ? even so the things of God 
knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but 
the Spirit which is of God ; that we might know the things 
that are freely given to us of God. 

Oh, yet we trust that somehow good 

Will be the final goal of ill, 

To pangs of nature, sins of will, 
Defects of doubt, and taints of blood : 

That nothing walks with aimless feet ; 

That not one life shall be destroyed, 

Or cast as rubbish to the void. 
When God hath made the pile complete; 

That not a worm is cloven in vain ; 

That not a moth with vain desire 

Is shrivelled in a fruitless fire, 
Or but subserves another's gain. 

Behold ! we know not any thing ; 

I can but trust that good shall fall, 

At last, — far off, — at last to all, 
And every winter change to spring. 

OTHOU who art more ready to hear than we are to 
pray: fill us, we entreat thee, with a lively faith. Lord, 
we believe : help thou our unbelief. May we walk by faith. 
Open our eyes to see and know thee as the Author of all 
that is great and good. May the outward shows of things 
not betray us into forgetfulness of that unseen world whose 
treasures alone endure. Dispel the clouds of selfishness 
and sin that hide thee from us. Give that purity of heart 
that may see thee now and ever near us, our Father and 
best friend for ever. Let us walk with thee every day and 
moment of life, and may faith sustain us till death shalJ 
open to us the glorious visions of eternity. Amen. 

352 



DECEMBER 18. 



I WILL praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods 
will I sing praise unto thee. 
Though the Lord is high, yet hath he respect unto the 
lowly : but the proud he knoweth afar off. 

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive 
me, and thy right hand shall save me. 

The Lord will be sufficient for me : thy mercy, O Lord, 
endureth for ever : forsake not the work of thine own 
hands. 

My heart is resting, O my God, 

I will give thanks and sing ; 
My heart is at the secret source 

Of every precious thing. 

Mine be the reverent, listening love 

That waits all day on thee ; 
The service of a watchful heart 

Which no one else can see ; 

The faith that in a hidden way 

No other eye may know, 
Finds all its daily work prepared, 

And loves to have it so. 

OTHOU who givest us richly all things to enjoy : 
teach us, we pray thee, to imitate thine own bound- 
less beneficence. Freely as w^e have received, so freely 
may we give. We would not selfishly appropriate thy 
bounty, but would know the divine joy of ministering to 
others' needs. Quicken within us the fountains of gene- 
rosity. Warm our sympathies toward the sufferer of every 
class and clime ; let no unbrotherly prejudice ever close 
our hearts or homes against any child of thine. May our 
faith in Jesus be not in name only, an empty profession, 
but in deed and truth ; leading us to honor him in the 
persons of the sick, the imprisoned, the unfortunate, his 
brethren and ours. Following in the footsteps of his self- 
denial and brotherly service, may we become the almoners 
of thy bounty and the saviors of souls. So may thy gospel 
fill and rule all hearts and lives. Amen. 



353 



DECEMBER 19. 



REJOICE in the Lord always : and again I say. Re- 
joice. 

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord 
is at hand. 

Be careful for nothing ; but in eveiy thing by prayer and 
supplication with tlianksgi\dng let your requests be made 
known unto God. 

And the peace of God. which passeth all understanding, 
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever 
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever 
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatso- 
ever things are of good report : if there be any virtue, and 
if there be any praise, think on these things. 

When thou hast thanked thy God for every blessing sent, 
\Yhat time will then remain for murmurs and lament ? 

"Envy detects the spots in the clear orb of light, 

And love the little stars in the gloomiest, saddest night. 

When God afflicts thee, think he hews a rr.rred stone, 
^Yh:ch must be shaped, or else aside as useless thrown. 

Why win we not at once what we in prayer require 
That we may learn gi^eat things as greatly to desire. 

The tasks, the joys, of earth the same in heaven will be : 
Only the little brook has widened to the sea. 

When will the din of earth grate harshly on our ears ? 
When we have once heard plain the music of the spheres. 

GIVE us this day, O our Father, we pray thee, pure 
thou2:hts and sin2:le aims. Give us love towards thee, 
and charit\- towards our neidibor. From all the chan2:es of 
life, from its joys and sorrows, may our immortal souls 
gather new^ strength. And when our last hour shall come, 
and we enter the dark valley, and bid farewell to this mor- 
tal scene, thou wilt be our rock and our refuge. Thy rod 
and thy staff will comfort us. We shall fall asleep in thine 
everlasting arms, and awake amidst the joys of thy pres- 
ence. And to thee, merciful Father, we will ascribe the 
grace and the gloiy for ever. Amen. 

354 



DECEMBER 20. 



WALK in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfi] the lust of 
the flesh. 

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit 
against the flesh : and these are contrary the one to the 
other ; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suft'ering, 
gentleness, goodness, faith, 

Meekness, temperance : against such there is no law. 

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with 
the affections and lusts. 

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

We will not weep ; for God is standing by us, 

And tears will blind us to the blessed sight : 
We will not doubt ; if darkness still doth try us, 

Our souls have promise of serenest light. 
We will not faint : if heavy burdens bind us, 

They press no harder than our souls can bear : 
The thorniest way is lying still behind us ; 

We shall be braver for the past despair. 

Oh ! not in doubt shall be our journev's ending : 

Sin with its fears shall leave us at the last : 
All its best hopes in glad fulfilment blending. 

Life shall be with us when the Death is past. 
Help us, O Father I — when the world is pressing 

On our frail hearts, that faint without their friend, 
Help us, O Father ! let thy constant blessing 

Strengthen our weakness, till the joyful end. 



'AKE us, O Father, into thy holy keeping. !N[ake us 



JL in body and soul altogether thine. Sanctify us in 
all the relations of life. Strengthen and purify the bonds 
of love that bind us together. May the benefits we receive 
at thy hand warm our gratitude, and move us to more ready 
and entire obedience. May all the sorrows, privations, 
and pains which thy wise love may send us be endured 
with unfailing trust, and improved to our eternal peace. 
Watch over us through the dangers alike of the day and 
the night. And may the light of each new day find us 
more inclined to love thee and more resolved to serve thee 
faithfully and for even Amen. 




355 



DECEMBER 21. 



AND he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the 
mount of Olives j and his disciples also followed 
him. And when he was at the place, he said unto ihem, 
Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was with- 
drawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, 
and prayed. Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove tliis 
cup from me : nevertheless, not my wall, but thine, be done. 
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, 
strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed 
more earnestly : and his sweat was as it were great drops 
of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose 
up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found 
tliem sleeping for sorrow. And said unto them, Why sleep 
ye ? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. 

Lowly and solemn be 
Thy children's cr}^ to thee, 

Father divine ! 
A hymn of suppliant breath, 
Owning that life and death 

Alike are thine. 

O Father, in that hour 
When earth all helping power 

Shall disavow ; 
When spear and shield and crown 
In faintness are cast down, 

Sustain us thou I 

By him who bowed to take 
The death-cup for our sake. 

The thorn, the rod ; 
From whom the last dismay 
Was not to pass aw^ay, 

Aid us, O God ! 

OGOD, whose blessed Son, obedient to thy law. under- 
went hunger and thirst and pain in doing thy will, 
and fulfilling all righteousness : give us gi'ace in all patience 
and temperance so to bear and forbear that, our flesh 
being subdued to the spirit, we may, in all righteousness, ' 
purit}', and soberness, ever obey thy holy guidance and 
control, who art our Father and our King, world without 
end. Amen. 

35^ 



DECEMBER 22. 

OGIVE thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, 
make known his deeds among the people. 
Remember his marvellous works that he hath done ; his 
wonders, and the judgments of his mouth ; when our fathers 
were but few in number j yea, very few, and strangers in 
the land. 

When they went from one nation to another, from one 
kingdom to another oeoule : he suffered no man to do them 
wrong I yea, he reproved kings for their sakes : saying. 
Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. 

Gone are those great and good 
Who here in peril stood 

And raised their hymn. 
Peace to the reverend dead ; 
The light that on their head 
The passing years have shed. 

Shall ne'er grow dim. 

Ye temples that to God 
Rise where our fathers trod, 

Guard well your trust, — 
The faith that dared the sea. 
The truth that made them free, 
Their cherished purity, 

Their garnered dust. 

Thou high and holy One, 
Whose care for sire and son 

All nature fills, 
While day shall break and close, 
While night her crescent shows, 
Oh, let thy light repose 
On these our hills ! 

ETERNAL God, in whom the spirits of just men do 
rest in peace from their labors : we thank thee for 
ah those who have departed this life in thy fear and love, 
and 'Those works do follow them beyond the grave. Blessed 
be thy mercy and eternal goodness, O God; and blessed 
be the memory of all thy saints m our hearts. Teach us 
who now dwell upon earth to practise their doctrine, to imi- 
tate their lives, and to follow their example as they have 
toh owed Christ and thee. Amen. 

357 



DECEMBER 23. 



COMFORT ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God. 
Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the 
desert a highway for our God. 

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill 
shall be made low : and the crooked shall be made straight, 
and the rough places plain : and the glory of the Lord shall 
be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together : for the 
mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. 

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain : 
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as 
the waters cover the sea. 

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for 
them ; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 

We wait in faith, in prayer we wait, 

Until the happy hour 
When God shall ope the morning gate. 

By his almighty power. 
We wait in faith, and turn our face 

To where the daylight springs ; 
Till he shall come earth's gloom to chase, 

With healing on his wings. 

And even now, amid the gray, 

The east is brightening fast, 
And kindling to that perfect day 

Which never shall be past. 
We wait in faith, we wait in prayer, 

Till that blest day shall shine, 
When earth shall fruits of Eden bear, 

And all, O God, be thine 1 

O ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, from whom 
every good and perfect gift proceedeth : we, thine un- 
worthy servants, deeply sensible of thy manifold and great 
mercies, would bring to thee our united offering of praise 
and thanksgiving, as for innumerable other proofs of thy 
loving-kindness, so especially for that wonderful event which 
laid the foundation of all our Christian hopes. Grant that 
we may with such true joy celebrate the happy festival of 
Christmas, as to be heartily disposed to strive after that 
heavenly righteousness which thou hast set before us in the 
life and gospel of thy Son Jesus Christ. Amen. 

358 



DECEMBER 24, 



BLESSED be the Lord God of Israel ; for he hath vis- 
ited and redeemed his people, to perform the mercy 
promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy cove- 
nant ; that he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered 
out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without 
fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days 
_ of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of 
the Highest : for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord 
to prepare his ways ; to give knowledge of salvation unto 
his people by the remission of their sins, through the tender 
mercy of our God ; whereby the day-spring from on high 
hat>^ ^"-'ted us, to give light to them that sit in darkness 
le shadow of death, to guide our feet into tl 

Now gird 3'Our patient loins again, 

Your wasting torches trim ! 
The chief of all the sons of men, 

Shall ^Y€ not welcome him ? 
Fill all his courts with sacred songs, 

And from the temple wall 
Wave garlands o'er the joyful throngs 

That crowd his festival ! 

And still more freshly in the mind 

Store up the hopes sublime 
Which then were born for all mankind, 

So blessed was the time ; 
And, underneath these hallowed eaves, 

A Saviour will be born 
In every heart that him receives, 

On his triumphal morn. 

OGOD, who makest us to rejoice in the yearly celebra- 
tion of the festival of Christmas r grant that we who 
thankfully receive thy best-beloved Son may through him 
become thy faithful children, and be admitted into thy king- 
dom of light and glory for ever and ever. Grant, we humbly 
beseech thee, O Lord God, that, enlightened by the memory 
of thy wonderful Providence in the birth of Jesus Christ, our 
eyes may be evermore fixed on thy goodness ; which still 
graciously worketh towards the accomplishment of thy 
promise, to call at length all the earth to a true knowledge 
cf thee and thy glorified Son. Amen. 

359 



DECEMBER 25. 



BEHOLD, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which 
shall be to all people. 
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a 
Saviour, which is Chiist the Lord. 

And suddenly there was with the ano;el a multitude of 
the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 

Glory to God in the highest, and on eardi peace, good- 
will to men. 

Hark I the glad sound, — the Saviour comes, 

The Saviour promised long ; 
Let every heart prepare a home, 

And every voice a song. 
He comes from thickest hhns of vice, 

To clear the mental ray^ 
And on the eyeballs of the blind 

To pour celestial day. 

He comes the broken heart to bind, 

The bleeding soul to cure, 
And with the treasures of his gi'ace 

Enrich the humble poor. 
Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace I 

Thy welcome shall proclaim ; 
And heaven's eternal arches ring 

With thy beloved name. 

GLORY in the highest heavens be to thee, O God, who 
hast proclaimed peace on earth and good-will to 
men. Thanks for the glad tidings of great joy brought by 
Jesus Christ our Lord. We hail the morning that com- 
memorates his birth. We adore thy providence in the 
coming of this messenger from heaven. Holy is the trudi 
he tau2:ht, immortal the hope he inspires. Break our 
slumbers, and let the light of Christ search our souls and 
scatter our darkness. May all people be hlled with his 
spirit of liberty, and be ruled by his law of love. Let all 
superstition and wrong disappear before that religion 
which came down from heaven, bringing good gifts to 
men. May thy grace abound and thy saving truth reign 
over all nations and in all hearts j and to thee be praise 
everlasting. Amen. 

360 



DECEMBER 26. 



LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, ac- 
cording to thy word ; for mine eyes have seen thy 
salvation, which thou hast prepared before all people : a 
light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people, 
Israel. 

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with 
wisdom j and the grace of God was upon him. 

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? 
Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business ? 

And Jesus increased in stature, and in favor with God 
and man. 

Thy servants in the temple watched 

The dawning of the day, 
Impatient with its earliest beams 

Their holy vows to pay ; 
And chosen saints far off beheld 

That great and glorious morn, 
When the glad day-spring from on high 

Auspiciously should dawn. 

On us the Son of Righteousness 

Its brightest beams hath poured ; 
With grateful hearts and holy zeal, 

Lord, be thy love adored ; 
And let us look with joyful hope 

To that more glorious day. 
Before whose brightness sin and death, 

And grief, shall flee away. 

OGOD, who didst send thy word to speak in the proph- 
ets and live in thy Son, and appoint thy church to 
be witness of divine things in all the world : revive the pu- 
rity and deepen the power of its testimony ; and, through the 
din of earthly interests and the storm of human passions, let 
it make the still small voice of thy Spirit inly felt. Nearer 
and nearer may thy kingdom come from age to age ; meet- 
ing the face of the young as a rising dawn, and brightening 
the song of the old, " Lord, now lettest thou thy servant 
depart in peace." Already let its light abash our guilty 
negligence, and touch with hope each secret sorrow of the 
earth. By the cleansing Spirit of thy Son, make this world 
a fitting fore-court to that sanctuary not made with hands, 
where our life is hid with Christ in God. Amen. 

361 



DECEMBER 27 



IT came to pass that, Jesus also being baptized, and 
praying, the heaven was opened. 
And a voice came from heaven which said, Thou art my 
beloved Son : in thee I am well pleased. 

And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath 
anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor ; he hath sent 
me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the 
captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at 
liberty them that are bruised, 

To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 
And I saw a new heaven, and a new earth: for the 
former things have passed away. 

Ring out the old, ring in the new, 
Ring, happy bells, across the snow ; 
The year is going, let him go. 

Ring out the false, ring in the true. 

Ring out the grief that saps the mind, 
For those that here we see no more ; 
Ring out the feud of rich and poor, 

Ring in redress to all mankind. 

Ring out a slowly dying cause. 

And ancient forms of party strife ; 

Ring in the nobler modes of life, 
With sweeter manners, purer laws. 

Ring in the valiant man and free, 
The larger heart, the kindlier hand ; 
Ring out the darkness of the land, 

Ring in the Christ that is to be. 

LORD our God, source of all light and truth, who didst 
send thy Son Jesus Christ into the world, that the 
world through him might be saved : grant, we beseech thee, 
that the light of his doctrine and life may shine into 
our hearts, and dispel our darkness, and direct our steps, and 
lead us at last to the unspeakable glories and felicities of thy 
heavenly kingdom. Amen. 



362 



DECEMBER 28. 



LORD, thou hast been our refuge in all generations. 
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever 
thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from ever- 
lasting to everlasting, thou art God. 

Thou turnest man to destruction, and sayest, Return, 
ye children of men. 

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yester- 
day when it is past, and as a watch in the night. 

Thou carriest him away as with a flood : he is as a dream ; 
he is like grass which groweth up in the morning. 

In the morning it flourisheth and groweth up ; in the 
evening it is cut down, and withereth. 

Our years are like the shadows 

O'er sunny hills that fly, 
Or grasses in the meadows, 

That blossom but to die ; 
A sleep, a dream, a story, 

By strangers quickly told, 
An unremaining glory 

Of things that soon are old. 

O Thou, who canst not slumber, 

Whose light grows never pale, 
Teach us aright to number 

Our years before they fail, 
On us thy mercy lighten, 

On us thy goodness rest, 
And let thy Spirit brighten 

The hearts thyself hath blessed. 

OLORD God, Fountain of comfort and help, of life 
and peace, of plenty and pardon, who fillest heaven 
with thy glory and earth with thy goodness : we give thee 
the most humble and earnest returns of a glad and thank- 
ful heart for the blessings of nature and the blessings of 
grace, for the support of every minute and the gifts of every 
day. What are we, O Lord, and what is our fathers' house, 
that the great God of men and angels should multiply upon 
us the proofs of his loving-kindness ? Praised be the Lord 
daily, even the Lord that helpeth us and poureth his bless- 
ings upon us. Blessed be the name of his Majesty for ever, 
and let all the earth be filled with his glory. Amen. 

363 



DECEMBER 29. 



THE days of our years are threescore ye-rs : ten ; 
and if by reason of strength they f :ursc :re years, 
yet is their pride weariness and sorrow ; for it swiftly van- 
isheth, and we fly away. 

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our 
hearts unto ^\dsdom. 

O, satisfy us early with thy mercy ; that we may rejoice 
and be glad all our days. 

Let thy work appear unto thy servants^ and :liy g-:ry "an- 
to their children. 

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon -j:? ; a::d 
establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yti. rhe 
work of cur hands establish thou it. 



God o£ the changing 3^ear, whose arm :: p :~er 
In safety leads through danger's darbies: — 
Here in thy presence bow thy childre:: i : v::, 
To "less thy mercy, and thy might t: ; "7::. 

Thine are the beams that cheer us on our wiy, 
And pour around the gladdening light of day ; 
Thine is the night, and the fair orbs that shine 

To cheer its hours of darkness, — z'l ire rh:r.e, 

If round our path the thorns of s:rr:v;- r:t"-. 
'And mortal friends were faithless, :Lou vrjis: :rue ; • 
Did sickness shake the frame, or anguish tear 
The wounded spirit, thou wast present there. 

Oh, lend thine ear, and lift our voice to thee : 
Where'er we dwell, still let thy mercy be ; 
From year to year, still nearer to thy shrine 
Draw our frail hearts, and make them wholly thine ! 

OGOD, eternal Creator of all things, Lord :: !:e3.-tn 
and earth, Father of our Lord Jesus C.- is:, I i::.t: 
of mercies, and God of all comfort : wh: his: made us in 
thine own image, created us anew by thv zz i td Son^ and 
adopted us as thy children; who hast ::;:::::-ed thy Holy 
Spirit to those that seek it, and prepared for us an eternal 
kingdom : with the host of heaven, and with thy faithful 
sen^ants on earth, we would cry, Holy, holy, holy. Lord God 
Almighty, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Amen. 

3^4 



DECEMBER 30. 



AND, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with 
me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they 
may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through 
the gates into the city. 

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him 
that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. 
And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 



O TIME ! ne'er resteth thy swift wing ; 

Th}^ minutes make no stay ; 
Yet what vast treasure do they bring, 

What treasure bear away ! 
O richly laden hours, ye fly ; 

Yet ye lay down your load ; 
O minutes freighted awfully ! 

Your freight is all bestowed. 

Ye bring the world's consuming care ; 

Ye bring the tempter's wile ; 
Ye bring the glorious strife of prayer ; 

Ye bring the Father's smile. 
Yes, Lord, our days may be divine ; 

Our hours may golden be ; 
The brightness of their light may shine 

Through all eternity. 

We mourn not, hours, the wings ye take, 

If your blest dower be given ; 
Fly on, bright minutes, if ye make 

Our souls more meet for heaven ! 
Yes, parted years, still sweetly breathe I 

Still blessedly appear ! 
And glory and delight bequeath 

To the eternal year ! 



LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the pray- 



V->/ ers of thy children who call upon thee ; and grant 
that they may both perceive and know what things they 
ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully 
o fulfil the same, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Al- 
nighty and ever-living God, grant us, we beseech thee, a 
constant renewal of thy Holy Spirit and of thy manifold 
gifts, till we grow to the full measure of our perfection in 
Jesus Christ. Amen, 




3^5 



DECEMBER 31. 



WE spend our years as a tale that is told. 
So teach us to number our days tliat we may ap- 
ply our hearts unto wisdom. 

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear 
God, and keep his commandments ; for this is the whole 
duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judg- 
ment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whetlier 
it be eviL 

O God : to thee our hearts would pay 



Tl:e:r rrzrirude sincere, 
Whcse 'r e kept us, mght and day, 

T ::: : ' :: : : ^.iiother 3^ear. 
Of e eatii, and every power, 

Tl: : : the gracious source ; 



From thee came every happy hour 
Which smiled along its course. 

And if sometimes across our path 

A cloud its shadows threw, 
Thou didst not waft it there in wrath, 

But loving-kindness true. 
For joy and grief alike we pay 

Our thanks to thee above ; 
And only pray to grow each day 

More worthy of thy love. 

OTHOU in whose sight a thousand years are but as a 
day: we would raise our thoughts to the eternity in 
wliich thou dwellest, and to those tilings which know no 
change but from glory to glory. 

We mourn that the closing year, with its broken vows and 
lost opportunities, has so much to fill us ^vitli shame. May 
we confess our sins wdth earnest desire to forsake them all 
for ever. The departing year has carried hence the hopes 
and treasures of many hearts. Dear friends have dis- 
appeared, whose coming steps we shall hear no inrre. 
Bring home to us a sense of our mortalit}'. Made vv'iser 
by the solemn lessons of the past, may we henceforth walk 
more worthily of our high vocation as children of G:i. 
Guide us through the perils of all coming time. And may 
w^e turn to thee as our Father and our best Friend for ever. 
Amen. 

366 



INDEX 

OF 

AUTHORS OF POETICAL SELECTIONS. 



Ackerman, Mrs. Lucy (d. 1874), 299. 

Adams, Sarah Flower (Fuller) (1805-1848), 146, 147, 294. 

Addison, Joseph (1672-1719), 270. 

Alexander, William Lindsay (b. 1808), 282. 

Alford, Henry (1810-1871), 41. 

Ambrose, St. (340-397)^ 249. 

Ames, Charles Gordon, 149, 197, 259. 

Anonymous, 14, 17, 37, 46, 58, 84, no, 123, 128, 163, 176, 229, 291, 303, 

333' 338. 346, 351- 
Arnold, Matthew (b. 1822), 67. 
Atlantic Monthly, 319. 
Austin, John (d. 1669), 143, 151. 

Barbauld, Anna Letitia (1743-1825), 82, 256, 257, 279. 
Barton, Bernard (1784-1849), 277. 
Bates, 312. 

Bickersteth, Edward Henry (b. 1825), 363. 

Bonar, Horatius (b. 1808), 16, 59, 86, 125, 152, 185, 272, 287, 327, 345. 

Book of Hymns, 109, 119, 179, 269, 358. 

Bowring, Slr John (1792-1872), 74, 76, 83, 142, 320, 331. 

Breviary, 45, 50, 61, 64, 77, 112, 124, 134, 150, 164, 247. 

Bridges, Matthew (w. 1848), 39. 

Briggs's Collection, 335. 

Browne, Simon (1680-1732), 199. 

Bryant, William Cullen (b. 1794), 190, 349. 

Bulfinch, Stephen Greenleaf (1809-1870), 54, 326. 

Burnet, 10. 

Burns, Robert (1759-1796), 121. 
Byrom, John (1691-1763), 33. 

Carey, Phoebe ( 1824-187 1), 22, 281, 310, 348. 
Chadwick, John White (b. 1840), 148. 
Cheney, Edna Dean, 238. 
Christian Hymn-Book, 210, 250, 295. 
Clarke, James Freeman (b. 1810), 95. 
Claudius, Matthias (1740-1815), 316.- 



368 INDEX OF AUTHORS OF POETICAL SELECTIONS. 



Coleridge, Samuel Taylor (i 772-1834), 9. 

Cohder, Josiah (1789-1855), 153, 222, 225,, 262, 289. 

Cotterill, Mrs. Joseph, 108. 

Cowper, William (1731-1800), loi, 161, 264, 344. ' ' 
Croswell, William (1804-1851), 359. 

Doddridge, Philip (1702-1751), 52, 133, 166, 360. 
Drummond, William Hamilton (1772-1856), 78. 

Ellerton, John (w. 1870), 170, 307. 
Elliot, Charlotte (d. 187 1), 19. 
Episcopal Collection, 239. 
Evans, Albert Eubule (w. 1868), 288. 

Faber, Frederick William (181 5-1863), 36, 44, 75, 79, 116, 198 

213, 214, 216, 224, 350. 
Fenelon, Frangois (1651-17 15), 113. 
Flint, James (1779-1S55), 330. 
Frank, Johann (1618-1677), 232. 
Frothingham, Nathaniel Langdon (i 793-1870), 159. 
Fuller, Richard F., 136. 

Furness, William Henry (b. 1802), 65, 89, 248, 261, 263, 293. 
Fysh, 201. 

Gaskell, William, 2, 71, 195, 275, 366. 

Gerhardt, Paul (1606-1676), 42, 103, 173, 175, 196, 301, 311. 

Gibbons, Thomas (1720-1785), 328. 

Gill, Thomas Hornblower (b. 1819), I, 81, 87, 204, 365. 

German, trans., 6, 244, 290, 298. 

Gregory, St. (550-604), 265. 

Grinfield, Thomas (w. 1836), 66. 

Guion, Jeanne Marie Bouviere (1648-17 17), 26, 193. 

Harcourt, William Vernon (1789-1871), 334. 
Hart, Joseph (w. 1759), 34. 
Hawkes worth, John (17 15-1773), 246. 
Heath, 194. 

Heber, Reginald (1783-1826), 145, 181, 234, 329. 

Hemans, Felicia Dorothea (1794-1835), 100, 310, 340, 356. 

Herbert, George (i 593-1632), 31. 

Hogg, James (1772-1835), 245. 

Holmes, Oliver Wendell (b. 1809), 18, 302, 315. 

Hurlburt, William Henry, 355. 

Hymns of the Ages, 28, 43, 68, 91, 92, 218, 231, 343. 

Hymns, Andover, 97. 

Hymns, Chapel, 217. 

Hymns of the Spirit, 93, 102, 120, 305. 



Johnson, Samuel (b. 1822), 322. 



INDEX OF AUTHORS OF POETICAL SELECTIONS. 



Keble, John (1792-1866), 3, 30, 32, 49, 98, 107, 

Lehr (w. 1733), 85. 
Lintrup, S., 130. 

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth (b. 1807), 156, 297, 
Longfellow, Samuel (b. 1819), 99, 276. 
Lowell, James Russell (b. 1819), 154, 155. 
Lynch, Thomas Toke (18 18-187 1), 94, 240. 
Lyte, Henry Francis (1793-1847), 227, 285, 292. 

Mace, Mrs. Frances Lawton, 273. 
Mant, Bishop Richard (1776-1848), 306. 
Martineau's Hymn-Book, 104, 105, 237, 
Matson, William Tidd (w. 1866), 209. 
Merrick, James (1720-1769), 226. 
Methodist Collection, 171. 
Miles, Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth (b. 1807), 1S3. 
Milman, Henry Hart (1791-1868), .274. 
Monsell, John S. B. (b. 181 1), 122, 230. 

Montgomery, James (1771-1854), 20, 117, 144, 158, 211, 266, 267, 278, 

296, 332. 
Moore, Henry, 243. 

Moore, Thomas (1779-1852), 118, 165, 167. 
Moravian, 13. 

Neale, John Mason (1818-1866), 308. 
Neumarck George (1621-1681), 251. 
Newman, John Henry (b. 1801), 221. 
Newton, John (1725-1807), 90. 
Nicoll, Robert (1814-1837), 53. 

Occum, Samson (1723-1792), 189, 
Olive Leaf, 96. 

Osgood, Frances Sargent (1812-1850), 253. 

Palgrave, Francis Turner (b. 1S24), 325. 
Parker, Theodore {1810-1859), 283. 
Peabody, William B. O. (1799-1847), 309. 
Pierpont, John (1785-1866), 73, 357. 
Pleyel, 40. 

Procter, Adelaide Anne (1825-1864), 38, 70, 169, 178, 271, 300, 323. 
Psalms, Spirit of, 15, 258, 361. 

Quarles, John (1624-1665), 280. 

Reed, Andrew (1787-1862), 184. 

Register, Christian, 337, 

Richardson, James, 157. 

Robert II. of France {997-1031), 191, 223. 

Robinson, 5. 

Rodigast, Samuel {1649-1708), 228, 339. 
X 



i 



370 INDEX OF AUTHORS OF POETICAL SELECTI-ONS. 



Saltmarsh, Mrs. Seth, 317. 
Saxby, Jane Euphemia (b. 181 1), 219. 
Schiller, Frederic (1759-1805), 23. 
Schmolke, Benjamin (1672-1737), 106. 
Scott, Thomas (d. 1776), 180. 
Scudder, Eliza, 24, 56, 57, 69, 160, 206. 
Sears, Edmund Hamilton (b. 1810), 51, 138. 
Sill, Edmund R., 208, 304. 
Smith, S. F., 252. 

Southwell, Robert (i 562-1 594), 25. 
Spitta, C. J. P., 55, 62, 63, 187, 341. 
Steele, Anne (17 16-1778), 135, 192. 
Sterling, John (1806-1844), 27, 215, 235. 
Sturm, Julius, 220. 
Sunday Magazine, 255. 

Taylor, Emily (1795-1872), 236, 364. 
Taylor, John (1750-1826), 21, 336. 
Tennyson, Alfred (b. 1809), 352, 362. 
Tersteegen, Gerhard (1697-1769), 318. 

Trench, Richard Chevenix (b. 1807), 141, 168, 182, 188, 342, 347, 354. 

Vaux, Thomas, Lord (i 510-1557), 29. 
Very, Jones (b. 1813), 140, 233. 

Waring, Anna Letitia (w. 1850), 131, 132, 137, 205, 321, 353. 

Waterman, Catharine H., 268. 

Watts, Isaac (1674-1748), 60, 80, iii, 139, 172. 

Wesley, Charles (1708-1788), 7, 11, 72, 203, 26o. 

Wesleyan, 129, 212, 241. 

White, Henry Kirk (1785-1806), 313. 

Whittier, John G. (b. 1808), 8, 12, 47, 88, 162, 177, 202, 242, 284, 286, 
324- 

Williams, Helen Maria (1762-1827), 114, 115. 
Winslow, Harriet, 48, 174. 
Wordsworth, Christopher (b. 1807), 126, 127. 
Wordsworth, William (1770-1850), 4. 
Wotton, Sir Henry (i 568-1639), 254. 
Wreford, John Reynell (w. 1837), i86.] 

Xavier, St. Fran9ois (i 506-1 552), 35. 



Zihn, Johann Friedrich (1650-1719), 314. 
Zinzendorf, Count (1700-1760), 200. 



INDEX 

OF 

FIRST LINES OF POETICAL SELECTIONS. 



PAGB 

Acquaint thee, 0 spirit, acquaint thee with God . . . Anon, 84 

Again, O Lord, I ope mine eyes Lyte. 292 

All around us, fair with flowers Aiion. 210 

All as God wills, who wisely heeds Whittier, 286 

All the charities that start Hymns of the Ages. 231 

All things that are on earth shall wholly pass away . . Bryant, 349 

Almighty Father ! thou hast many a blessing Mrs. Saltmarsh, 317 

Almighty God ! in humble prayer Montgomery. 20 

Alone amid life's griefs and perils .... Hymns of the Ages. 28 

Among the pitfalls in our way Miss Carey. 348 

A marvel seems the universe Whittier. 8 

And now I pray for love Mrs. Che^iey, 238 

Approach not the altar with gloom in thy soul . Mrs. Osgood. 253 

Arise, this day shall shine Miss Procter. 169 

Awake, my soul ! lift up thine eyes .... Mrs. Barbanld. 279 

Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve Doddridge. 166 



Begin the day with God Bonar, 287 

Re thou, O God, by night, by day .... Chapel Hymn Book. 217 

Blessed be thy name for ever Hogg. 245 

Blest be thy love, dear Lord Austin. 143 

Bread of heaven, on thee we feed Pleyel. 40 

Break, new-born year, on glad eyes break Gill. i 

Brief life is here our portion . . . . , Hymns of the Ages. 91 

Build thee more stately mansions Hohnes. 18 

Burden of shame and woe ... Bulfinch. 326 



Come, Father of the poor, to earth King Robert. 191 

Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly dove Brozune. 199 

Come, holy Spirit, heavenly dove Watts. 60 

Come, mighty Spirit, penetrate Bonar. 185 

Come, my soul, thou must be waking . Anon. 291 



372 INDEX OF FIRST LINES OF POETICAL SELECTIONS. 



PAGB 

Come, O Creator Spirit blest ! . . Brrdary. 45 

Come, said Jesus' sacred voice Mrs. Barbauld. 82 

Cometh sunshine after rain ......... Gerhardt. 103 

Come to me, Lord, when first I wake . . Episcopal Collection. 239 

Come to me, thoughts of heaven Mrs. Hemans. loo 

Come unto me, when shadows darkly gather Miss Water77iaju 26S 

Come, ye disconsolate, where'er ye languish .... Moore. 118 



Day by day the manna fell Conder. 262 

Dear ties of mutual succor bind Bryant. 190 

Despise not little sins ; for mountain high Trench. 141 

Earth with her thousand voices sings Ajion. 12S 

Ever}* sorrow, ever}- smart Gerhardt. 311 



Father, I know that all my life Miss IVaring. 131 

Father in heaven, to whom our hearts Furness. 65 

Father, in thy mysterious presence kneeling . . . joh7iso?i. 322 

Father of mercies I God of peace ! Anon. 333 

Father, O hear me Gerhardt. 42 

Father, source of every blessing Robinson. 5 

Father, strengthen thou my will Wesley. 7 

Father, thy paternal care .......... BoTvring. 331 

Father, to us thy children, humbly kneeling .... Clarke. 95 

Father, we look up to thee Wesley. 129 

Father, whate'er of earthly bliss Mrs. Steele. 192 

Feeble, helpless, how shall I Furness. 293 

For all thy saints, O God Bishop Matit. 306 

For ever with the Lord Montgomery. 266 

For mv work, O make me strong A?io?i. 46 

Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go Wesley. 203 

For what is there on earth I can desire A?ion. 2>7 

Fountain of light and living breath Qiiarles. 2S0 

From foes that would the land devour Heher, 329 

From the recesses of a lowly spirit Bo7vri?tg. 320 

Full-handed, glowing Autumn ..... Christia7i Hy77i7is. 295 



Give me a faith shall never fail Gerf?ia7t. 29S 

God liveth ever Zih7i. 314 

God moves in a mysterious way Cowper. 344 

God of all grace, we come to thee Gaskell. 195 

God of the changing year, whose arm .... Miss E. Taylor, 364 

God of the living, in whose eyes EUerto7i. 307 

Gone are those great and good Pierp07tt. 357 

Go forth, my heart, and seek delight Gerhardt. 196 

Go not far from me, O my strength . . . . Miss Waring. 205 

Go up, go up, my heart Bo7iar. 152 

Gracious Spirit, dwell with me Ly7ich. 94 



INDEX OF FIRST LINES OF POETICAL SELECTIONS. 373 



PAGB 

Grant us a body pure within Breviary. 112 

Great God, create my soul anew Watts, iii 



Hark, my soul, how every thing Austin. 151 

Hark, the glad sound, — the Saviour comes . . . Doddridge. 360 

Have mercy, O Father Fumes s. 89 

He always wins Avho sides with God Faber, 36 

Heavenly Father, to whose eye Conder. 222 

He liveth long who liveth well Bonar. 59 

Helped by thy grace, no more I'll stray Anon. 43 

He prayeth well who loveth well Coleridge. 9 

He sendeth sun, he sendeth shower Mrs. Adaijis. 294 

Holy Father, thou hast taught me Anon. 346 

Holy Spirit, Truth divine S. Longfellow. 276 

How dear is the thought, -that the angels of God . . . Anon. 250 

How do the rivulets find their way Ames. 259 

How glad the tone when summer's sun .... Richardson. 157 

How happy is he born and taught Wotton. 254 

How sweetly flowed the Gospel's sound Bowring. 83 



Hushed was the evening hymn , . . Martineau's Hymn Book, 104 



I ask not wealth, but power to take Miss Carey. 281 

I do not ask, O Lord, that life may be .... Miss Procter. 271 

If humble, next of thy humility beware Trench. 188 

If on our daily course our mind Keble. 49, 98 

If thou shouldst bless our home with wealth .... Spitta. 341 

I have no comfort but thy love Monsell. 230 

I know not the way I am going Anon. 351 

I know not what the future hath Whittier. 242 

I look to thee in every need Hymns of the Spirit. 102 

I need thy presence every passing hour ....... Lyte. 285 

In every joy that crowns my days Miss Williams. 115 

In holy contemplation Cowper. 161 

In its freshness bring the flower Anon. 123 

In pleasant lands have fallen the lines Flint. 330 

In sleep's serene oblivion laid ...... Hawkesworth, 246 

In the morning I will raise Furness. 248 

It is the hour of prayer . Book of Hymns. 269 

It was no path of flowers Mrs. Miles. 340 

I want the spirit of power within Wesley. 1 1 

I worship thee, sweet will of God Faber. 44 

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Watts, 80 

Judge not : the workings of his brain Miss Procter. 38 

Just as I am ; without one plea .... Hymns of the Spirit. 305 



Keep my feet from secret snares Furness. 263 

Know well, my soul, God's hand controls .... Whittier, 162 



374 I^'J^EX OF FIRST LINES OF POETICAL SELECTIONS. 



PAGE 

Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom . . . Xeiv7Jia7i. 221 

Leave God to order all thy ways ....... Xeuijurck. 251 

Let thy good Spirit by the word Spitta. 62 

Life is^only bright wh'en it proceedeth Miss Procter, 17S 

Light of life, seraphic fire I Wesleyan. 241 

Like shadows gliding o'er the plain y. Taylor, 336 

Living or dpng, Lord, I would be thine Fenelon, 113 

Lo, my Shepherd's hand divine Mer?'ick. 226 

Long had the darkness of ages surrounded A mm. 229 

Look up, lock up. my soul, still higher £z jns. 2S8 

Lord God of ::::::--:::g and of night Palp-a-c, 325 

Lord, help me strive with each besetting sin . . . IVhitticr. 177 

Lord, in heaven thy dwelling-place . . . * . . . . B:-zi'rin^. 76 

Lord, in thy light, oh let me walk tkis day Srirtj. 55 

Lord, make us timely wise Mont^c-mcry. 15S 

Lord of all being, throned afar . Holmes. 315 

Lord of eterr.r,: purity Breiiary. 50 

Lord, what cffti iur shall we bring J. Taylor. 21 

Lord, while for all mankind we pray JJ'rc/ord. 1S6 

Lo, the lilies of the field Htlcr, iSi 

Love for all, and can it be S. Langfelloiu. 99 

Lowly and solemn be Mrs. Hemaji^. 356 



J3 



May I reserve w'rh all my heart . , Mrs, Steele, 135 

Mig:::v Sp::::. gracious Guide C. IFordsiuorth. 126 

Much in sorrow, oft in woe White. 313 

My conscience is my crown SonthwelL 25 

My Father's house on high Montgomery. 267 

My Gcd, accept my heart this day Brydges. 39 

Mv God. I love thee ; not because ... St. Fra?i-cois Xavier, 

My God, I thank thee who hast made Miss Procter. 

!My God, my Father, while I stray Miss Elliot. 19 

iVly God, my strength, my hope Wesley. 72 

Mv God, thy boundless love I praise H. Moore. 243 

My God was with me all this night Austin. 176 

Mv heart is resting, O my God Miss Waring. 353 

My soul, be on thy guard Heath. 194 

My spirit longs for Thee Byrom. 33 

My spirit on Thy care Hy7?i?is oft^ie Ages. 6S 

i^iv voice shalt thou hear this morning . . Su?idjy Magazine. 255 



Need it is we raise our eyes Xeale. 30S 

Nesv ever\- morning is the love Keble. 32 

None was ever left a prey GerJiardt. 301 

No seas again shall sever Bonar. 345 

Not by deeds that win the world's applauses . Miss Winslow. 48 

Nothing but leaves I The spirit grieves . . . Airs. Ackerrnan, 299 

Not that my Father gives to me Miss Carey. 22 



INDEX OF FIRST LINES OF POETICAL SELECTIONS. 375 

PAGB 

Not vet I love my God GilL S7 

Now doth the sun ascend the sky Brez-iary. 64 

Now gird yoiir patient loins again Crossweil. 359 

Now is the hightide of the year . . LcrjjelL 155 

Now that the sun is beaming bright St, Ambrose, 249 

Now the shades of night are gone Breinary, 1S9 

Now with creation's morning song ....... Brruiary, 247 

Now with the golden rising dawn Brruiary, 61 

O blessed life ; the heart at rest . Matsan, 209 

O blest Creator of the light Brrjiary, 134 

O blight ideals ! how ye shine Sears, 138 

O Father, as thou wilt Schmolke. 106 

Oft have I walked the woodland paths Anon, no 

O God, by whom the seed is given . Heber, 145 

O God, the pure alone Anon, 237 

O God, to thee our hearts would pay Gaskell. 366 

O God, who knowest how frail we are ...... Gaskell. 275 

Oh, cleanse us that we sin no more ..... J^ing- Robert, 223 

Oh, draw me, Father, after thee Moravian, 13 

Oh, for freedom, for freedom in worshipping God . , Faber. 214 

Oh, give me Samuel's heart Anan, 105 

Oh, give thanks to Him who made Conder, 153 

Oh, help us, Lord I each hour of need ..... Milman, 274 

Oh, he whom Jesus. loved has truly spoken .... ^Hiittier, 202 

Oh, how I fear thee, living God Faber, 207 

Oh, how kindly hast thou led me Grinfield, 66 

Oh, how the thought of God attracts . Faber. 116 

Oh, is there a thought in the wide^world so sweet . . Fater, 75 

Oh, keep thv conscience sensitive ........ Faber. 19S 

Oh, learn that it is only by the lowly . . . Christian Register, 337 

Oh, like the sun may I fulfil Waits. 139 

Oh, make our house thy sanctuary German. 244 

Oh, may we treasure well Anon. 163 

Oh, not alone on the mount of prayer ...... Bidfinch, 54 

Oh, not alone with outward sign WJiittier, 12 

O Holy Father, just and true TVJiittier. 8S 

O Holy Spirit, who with gentlest breath Spitta. 1S7 

Oh, richly, Father, have I been Furness. 261 

Oh, send me not away I for I would drink Anen. 109 

Oh, timely happy, timely wise Keble. 3 

Oh, wail not in the darksome forest Sterling. 27 

Oh ye, beneath life's crushing load- Sears. 51 

Oh, yet we trust that somehow good Tennysan. 352 

O King of kings, before whose throne Ano-n. 14 

O Lord, lift up thy countenance Lintrtip. 130 

O Love divine I that stooped to share Holmes. 302 

O Love ! how cheering is thy ray Wesley an. 212 

Omnipotence is on your side Lehr, 85 



376 INDEX OF FIRST LINES OF POETICAL SELECTIONS. 



PAGE 

On earth we gain by losing Bo7tar. 272 

One by one thy duties wait thee Miss Procter. 300 

One cup of healing oil and wine r Df-ummond. 78 

One sweetly welcome thought Miss Carey. 310 

On God, and not on my poor strength Ger??ian. 6 

Only waiting, till the shadows Mi's. Mace. 273 

On our parched souls pour thou, O Lord .... Breviary. 77 

Open, Lord, my inward ear Wesley, 260 

Open the doors of the house your home . ' . . . Frothi?igha7n. 159 

O sinner, bring not tears alone ........ Brez'iary. 124 

O Thou, great friend to all the sons of men ... T. Parker, 283 

O Thou, to whom in ancient time Pierpont. 73 

O Thou, true friend of all that live Breviary. 164 

O Thou, who hast thy servants taught Alford. 41 

O Thou, who hast at thy command .... Mrs. Cotte7'ill, 108 

O Time, ne'er resteth thy swift wing Gill. 365 

Our beloved have departed Gerinan. 290 

Our blest Redeemer, ere he breathed . . Spirit of the Psal77is. 258 

Our Father, through the coming year Gaskell. 2 

Our wealth leaves us at death Lord Vaux, 29 

Our years are like the shadows Bicker steth. 363 

O ye of fearful hearts, be strong Book of Hy 77ms, 92 

Planted in Christ, the living Vine S77iith. 252 

Pleasant are thy courts above Lyte. 227 

Pour forth the oil, — pour boldly forth T7'e7icJi. 168 

Praise to God, immortal praise M7's. Barbatdd, 256 

Praise to the good, the pure, the great ...... Nicoll, 53 

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire Mo7itgo77iery. 296 - 

Prayer is to God the soul's sure way Ha7't. 34 

Prophecy will fade away ........ C Wordsworth, izj 

Ring out the old, ring in the new Te7i7tyso7t. 362 

Send down thy truth, O God Sill. 208 

Send peace and blessing from above Spitta, 63 

Shine on our souls, eternal God Doddridge* 52 

Should the rising whirlwinds tear Mrs. Ba7'bauld. 257 

Silent Spirit, dwell with me Ly7ich. 240 

Since now refreshed, the soul once more . . . Miss Scudder, 69 

Sing to the Lord a new glad song . . . Hym7is of the Spi7'it. 93 

Some murmur when their sky is clear . ..... . Tre7ich. 347 

Sometimes a light surprises Coupler. 264 

Source of good, whose power controls Fi'a7tk. 232 

Source of light and life divine St. G7'egory. 265 

Sow in the morn thy seed Mo7itgo77iery . 144 

Speak gently, — it is better far Bates. 312 

Spirit divine ! attend our prayer Reed, 184 



INDEX OF FIRST LINES OF POETICAL SELECTIONS. 



377 



PAG3 

Spirit of power and truth and love ! . . . . • Alexander. 282 

Spirit of truth, who makest bright GUI. 81 

Stern daughter of the voice of God Wordsworth^ 4 

Still with thee, O my God A7idaver Hymns, 97 

Sweet are the joys of home Anon. 303 

Sweet is the solace of thy love Miss Waring. 321 

Sweet morn ! from countless cups of gold .... Sterlijig, 235 

Teach me, my God and King Herbert. 31 

Thanks be to Him who built the hills Bonar. 2>'^7 

Thank the Lord, who made the earth Harcoitrt. 334 

The best will is our Father's will Gerhardt. 175 

The Christian warrior, see him stand Montgomery. 278 

The cross of the Saviour his followers bear .... Fuller. 136 

The eager hearts, the souls of fire .... Hymns of the Ages. 343 

The earth, all light and loveliness Airs. Miles. 183 

The God of harvest praise Montgomery. 332 

The light pours down from heaven Anon. 179 

The Lord is King ! who then shall dare Conder. 289 

The Lord my pasture shall prepare Addison. 270 

The Lord my shepherd is Condor, 225 

Then with my waking thoughts Mrs. Adams. 147 

The pure and peaceful mind Montgomery. 117 

There are briers besetting every path .... Miss Waring, 132 

There are deep things of God Ames. 149 

There cometh o'er the spirit Book of Hymns. 119 

There is a light in yonder skies Madame Gition. 26 

There is no place where earth's sorrows Faber. 213 

There is no price set on the lavish summer Lowell. 154 

There's nothing bright, above, below Moore, 165 

The saddened heart, the restless soul .... Miss Saidder, 57 

The ship may sink, and I may drink Ames. 197 

The springtide hour brings leaf and flower .... Monsell. 122 

The time for toil is past, and night is come . Atlantic Monthly. 319 

The trivial round, the common task Keble. 107 

The uplifted eye and bended knee Scott, 180 

The works of God, above, below Keble, 30 

The world is wise, for the world is old Faber. 79 

They who on the Lord rely Spirit of the Psalms. 15 

They who seek the throne of grace . . Methodist Collection, 171 

Through all this life's eventful road ....... Gaskell. 71 

Thou art, O God, the life and light Moore. 167 

Thou canst not choose but serve ......... Trench, 342 

Thou canst not toil in vain Mofitgomery, 211 

Though like the wanderer Mrs. Adams. 146 

Thou Grace divine, encircling all Miss SciMer, 56 

Thou hidden love of God, whose height Tersteegen. 318 

Thou life within my life, than self more near . . . Sciidder, 160 

Thou, Lord, who rear'st the mountain's height . . Sterling, 215 



37S INDEX OF FIRST LINES OF POETICAL SELECTIONS, 



PAGB 

Thou must be true thyself . . Bcnir, 16 

Thou'rt with me, O my Father .... EupJie?nia Saxhy. 219 

Thou who dost dwell alone Arnold. 67 

Thy bounteous hand with food can bless Hebe?-. 234 

Thy calmness bends serene abo've . . . Hymns of the S^ij-it. 120 

Thy goodness, Lord, our souls confess Gwbo?is, 32S 

Thy home is with the humble, Lord Faher. 350 

Thv love, O God, restores me jMadame Gtiioii. 193 

Thy mighty working, mighty God Ge7'hardt, 173 

Thy servants in the temple watched . . Sprit of the Fsalms. 361 

Thy way, not mine, O Lord Bonar, 125 

Thy will be done ! In devious way Bowring. 74 

Thy word, O Lord, like gentle dews . . . Hymns of the Azes. 21S 

'Tis by the faith of joys to come JJ'atts. 172 

'Tis not the gift, but 'tis the spirit Bozcring. 142 

'Tis winter now ; the gleaming snow A?ion. 3^8 

To halls of heavenly truth, admission Trench. I52 

To thee and to thy love . Bcnar, S6 

To weary hearts, to mourning homes Whittier, 324 

True Sun, upon our souls arise Brcz'iary, 150 

Turn not from him who asks of thee jC7ies Very. 233 

Vainly I strive through the darkness to see . . . Olii'e Leaf. 96 

Voices are round me ; smiles are near Facer, 224 



Valk in the light I so shalt thou know ...... Barton. 277 

Walk with the Lord along the road GilL 204 

"Warrior to thy duty stand Zinze^idorf 200 

Weak and irresolute is man . Cc-nyer, lOT 

We ask for peace, O Lord ^^^ss Frocter. 70 

We have not wings, we cannot soar , , . H. IF. Lajigfellozu. 297 

We may not think our fathers' thought Chadzuiek. 14S 

We plough the fields and scatter .... Matthias Claudius, 316 

We scatter seeds with careless hand Anon. 5S 

We wait in faith, in prayer we wait .... Book of Hymns. 858 

We will not weep ; for God is standing by us . . , 'Hurilurt. 355 

Whate'er my God ordains is right Fcdigast. 22S, 339 

Whate'er of' good the past hath had IVhittier, 2S4 

What may we take into the vast forever } Sill. 304 

What sha'll I do to gain eternal life Schiller, 23 

What thou shalt to-day provide Aezvton. 90 

What thou wilt, O Father, give JVhitiier, \] 

Whene'er a noble deed is wrought , » , , H. JV, Longfellow, 1 56 

When is the time for prayer Burnet. 10 

When summer suns their radiance fling E. Taylor. 236 

When tempests toss, and billows roll Fysh. 201 

When the day of toil is done Ellerton, 170 

When thou hast thanked thv God Trench. 354 



INDEX OF FIRST LINES OF POETICAL SELECTIONS. 379 



PAGE 

Where faith the soul hath purified Miss Scttdder, 24 

Where human weakness has come short Burns, 121 

Wherever in the world I am . Mzss Waring. 137 

While thee I seek, protecting Power .... Miss Williams. 114 

Who is thy neighbor ? he whom thou Peabody. 309 

Why should I murmur ? for the sorrow Sturm. 220 

Why thus longing, thus for ever sighing . . . Miss Winslow. 

Wilt Thou not visit me ? Jones Very. 140 

Workman of God! oh, lose not heart Faber. 216 

Wouldst thou be a true man Anon. 17 



Ye servants of the Lord Doddridge, 

Yet high above the limits of my seeing . . . Miss Scudder. 
Ye who have known to weep • . Mrs, Hemans, 




0 017 050 274 



